Page 41

Th ree weeks later

Vero finished checking the rotation of the guards, his sharp eyes scanning the room as Paxton paced beside him in the main lodge with his newly arrived dog stretched out by the fireplace, watching him while yawning once in a while. Snow fell heavily outside, blanketing the ground in a pristine white, but the tension inside made the atmosphere anyth ing but serene.

“Would you relax?” Vero asked, glancing sideways at his brother.

“Are you kidding?” Paxton shot back, his tone incredulous. “My father-in-law is landing in a moment. Zane Kyllwood is a fo rce of nature.”

Vero shrugged. “His daughter loves you. Though this makes me somewhat appreciative that I don’t have a father-in-law.”

Paxton cut him a look, his mouth twitching. “Yeah, I envy you. But not really—because Zane’s the best. As a part-demon, you’re his rel ative as well.”

“Now that’s a thought,” Vero replied, adjusting his sleeve to expose the demon brand on his hand. Though faded, it would always remain. It marked him as more than just a Kurjan, and the nation had accepted both him and Paxton despite their demon blood. After all, that blood had saved everyone. Without it, the virus might still have them puking their guts out— or worse, dead.

He glanced at the C on his palm. Unsurprisingly, there hadn’t been anything in Talt’s journal about Vero’s true ancestry. Should he try to find his demon relatives, if any had lived through the last wars? It was something to thi nk about…later.

Vero glanced around the lodge. The soldiers had finally recovered, the forty Cyst members had moved in and had already recruited ten more members, and the loyalty coalescing around Paxton as their king was absolute. The Kurjan nation wa s strong again.

The thrum of a helicopter outside drew his attention, and he followed his brother into the cold, whipping wind. Paxton’s steps faltered slightly, betray ing his nerves.

Vero smirked. “Ar e you nervous?”

“No,” Paxton said, though the sharpness in his ton e betrayed him.

From across the snowy expanse, Hope and Lyrica emerged from the medical facility, their heads close as they spoke. The sight of his mate warmed Vero in a way that had nothing to do with the heavy coat he wore. She moved toward him, her face lighting up des pite the storm.

“Stay here,” he murmured, stepping into her path. He held her back gently, shielding her from the pelting snow as the helico pter descended.

The whirling blades slowed, the back door opened, and Collin and Liam jumped out first, scanning the area with sharp precision, their w eapons visible.

Paxton raised his hand in greeting. “You can relax. We’re safe. There’s not even a guard patrol around the lo dge right now.”

Liam didn’t smile, but he did nod and step aside.

A bundle of energy barreled out in the form of a lovely female with tawny eyes and blondish-brown hair. “Hope,” she yelled, runn ing toward her.

V ero stiffened.

Paxton grasped his arm. “That’s Libby.”

Libby hugged Hope, lifting her off the ground before dropping her and running full bore to be snatched in a hug by Paxton.

He placed her on her feet, obviously careful not to touch her skin. “Vero, this is Libby, our best friend. Libs, this is my brother.”

Libby held out a hand, her smile contagious. “It’s so weird to keep from shooti ng any of you.”

Vero chuckled. “You’re a shifter.” He’d have to keep J onathan at bay.

“Yep. Feline.”

Vero introduced Lyrica, pride filling him as he claimed he r as his mate.

They shook hands. Curiosity filled Lyrica’s eyes. “Can I see you actually shift i nto an animal?”

“Sure,” Libby said easily. “It’s fun, but you have to stand back so the energy release doesn’ t flatten you.”

Lyrica snuggled into Vero’s side. “T hat’s awesome.”

Vero turned his attention bac k to the craft.

Zane Kyllwood, the legendary leader of the demon nation, disembarked next, his movements lean and efficient. Without hesitation, he reached back into the helicopter and helped a petite, brunette female out onto the snow.

“That’s the queen of the demons,” Lyrica whispered beside Vero, her tone filled with awe. “Janie Kayrs. Hope told me all about her mother, and they look like twins. Apparently we’re all tr ue allies now.”

Vero liked that she said the word “we.” Lyrica already considered herself part of his world, and the realization settled warml y in his chest.

Paxton moved forward, greeting Zane and his queen with hugs. As introductions were exchanged, another figure emerged from the helicopter. Vero’s eyes narrowed as a massive, metallic-eyed male stepped out with the grace of a predator. Recognition hit h im like a blow.

“That’s Benjamin Reese,” he muttered. The bastard had kidnapped Karma long ago.

Benny carefully lifted a heavily pregnant female out o f the aircraft.

Her face broke into a smile the moment she spotted him. “Vero!” she cried, start ing toward him.

The giant male at her side growl ed low. “Wait.”

She slapped his hand away without breaking stride. “Stop it, Benny. We’re safe, and you’re goi ng to be nice.”

Benjamin hesitated, his express ion unreadable.

Vero moved to meet her halfway, pulling Lyrica with hi m just in case.

Karma threw her arms around Vero in a quick but warm hug, careful not to touch the exposed skin on his neck. “It’s so good to see you,” she said, leaning back to study him. “You l ook wonderful.”

“You too,” Vero said, his voice softening. He glanced at her belly. “An d you’re…busy.”

She laughed, introducing herself to Lyrica with an easy charm. “Aren’t you stunning?” She pulled Lyrica i nto an embrace.

Vero felt the weight of Benny’s gaze like a physical force. He straightened, meeting the massive mal e’s sharp eyes.

Karma stepped between them, planting her hands on her hips. “Oh, you two knock it off,” she said, her tone exasperated. She rubbed her belly and gave them both a look. “Behave.”

They both nodded, breaki ng eye contact.

Lyrica laughed, her voice light and bright, cutting throu gh the tension.

Karma’s smile softened as she linked her arm through Benny’s. “We’re happy,” she said, her voice directed toward Vero. “He keeps me safe, and the girls are thriving and have come up with some intriguing twin speak that somehow insults their brothers. This is our fourth boy,” she added, patting her belly. “We wanted to visit with just the two of us this time, but next trip, we’ll bring the kids. The girls would lo ve to see you.”

“I’d like that,” Vero said, his voice steady. For the first time in years, everything felt right. His world clicked into place. Karma was happy, the Kurjan nation was healing, and his place in it—by Paxton’s side—was solid. He looked down at Lyrica.

“Are you happy?” Karm a asked softly.

Vero didn’t look away from his mate, his gaze locked on hers. “I am,” he said, surprisin g even himself.

Lyrica’s smile was soft, her eyes full of warmth. She reached up and kissed his chin. “M e too. Always.”

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