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Eden’s Shifter craving was dark chocolate with almonds. She kept a large supply of candy bars in the pantry, and he fed her by hand while they discussed their favorite books at length. He felt so understood, and being apart from her created an emptiness in his soul.

When Hightower’s front door opened, Lucian snapped out of his thoughts.

The Mage was dressed in a fancy suit and shiny shoes. After stepping outside, he locked the door behind him. When Henry twisted around and caught sight of Lucian casually watching from the tree, he froze.

Lucian gave a sinister grin.

“Get off my property, Chitah! I’ll report you to the Council. Are you deaf?”

Lucian dropped to the ground and crouched, his inner animal itching for a chase. “I want my answer.”

“I’m not fighting you.” Hightower flicked a nervous glance toward his car.

Lucian rose to his feet. “If you reject my challenge, you have to rescind your proposal. A female will never follow a male who won’t fight for her.”

Hightower scoffed as he hurried to his car. “No woman wants to marry a criminal.”

Lucian slowly approached the car, the cool night air chilling his bare arms. “That remains to be seen.”

“You’re a black-haired Chitah hiding with wolves because his own kind won’t accept him.” A smile touched his lips.

Lucian felt his inner animal begging to take over. “And you’re a jackass Ken doll who rides around in your toy car, thinking you have the power to control people.” Lucian drew closer and breathed deeply. “You smell like a dirty aquarium. That’s your personal scent. Did you know that?”

Hightower’s face flushed red, and a vein bulged dead center on his forehead. The angrier he got, the more his accent shone through.

“Have you met her tiger yet?” Lucian asked. “I have, and her jaws are powerful. It wouldn’t take much to snap off that pretty head of yours.”

Hightower nervously fiddled with the key fob in his hand. “Tigers can be tamed.”

Lucian chuckled quietly. “You couldn’t tame the wild out of a house cat. Why do you think Chitahs go primal? Our inner animal is feline, so I understand her in a way you never will.”

“Do me a favor and fuck off.” After getting inside the vehicle, he fired up the engine, revved it, and sped off.

Dressed appropriately for running in his tank top, jeans, and sneakers, Lucian flashed behind him while keeping a distance, slowing every so often to a sprint so he could catch his breath.

Hightower stopped at Juniper Road and opened the swing gate, which automatically closed after he drove his car through.

Lucian climbed over the gate and walked up the road as he watched Hightower steer into the parking lot of the Rabbit Lounge on the right. The lights weren’t visible from the gate, but as he drew closer, he heard the jukebox playing.

Once he arrived at the turnoff, he crossed the parking lot and scanned the vehicles. Two belonged to his packmates. Hightower’s car was parked near the front, the engine still warm.

As Lucian approached the bar, he realized his emotions weren’t the enemy.

He had always operated at thirty percent, afraid he would flip his switch and lose control.

But maybe he needed to be one with his inner animal instead of fighting it.

That uncontrollable part of him wasn’t the enemy—it was a protector.

Mercy greeted him from the bar on the right-hand wall. “Lucian! Sit your little tushy down and I’ll fix you a drink.”

He scanned the bustling room. The pool tables were busy with a serious tournament. Card games were actively going at the tables, money exchanging hands while players swapped stories.

Bear looked over his shoulder at Lucian from one of the saddle stools. His thick eyebrows drew together. “You good?”

Lucian was laser focused. When he spotted Hightower sitting near the jukebox, he weaved around tables until he reached him.

Hightower was too distracted in his conversation with the bearded man across from him to notice.

Lucian flattened his hands on the table. “I want my answer. A challenge isn’t negotiable, and you can’t keep running from me.”

When Henry Hightower slowly turned his head and looked up, his blue eyes were blazing with animosity. He wiped the beer foam off his mustache and clenched his jaw. “Get the hell out of my face, Chitah .”

His bearded companion gave Henry a chilling stare. “Is this the one you’re talking about?”

Lucian could scent the man’s excitement and guessed Henry might be up to no good with him. “I want my answer. Now .”

“I don’t owe you an answer. She’s already mine.”

Lucian straightened up. “Have it your way.” He casually approached the heavy jukebox and yanked the plug out of the socket.

The animation in the room died with the music.

Ignoring threats flung at him from all directions, he stepped onto a chair and then onto a table.

“I’ve challenged Henry Hightower for the right to court Eden Thompson,” he announced to the room.

A few gasps sounded, and everyone craned their necks to get a gander at the Mage, who was now beet red with anger.

“Take care of him,” Henry muttered to his companion.

Henry’s bearded companion sprang from his seat, but before he made it to Lucian, Tak appeared like the cavalry.

Tak held his large knife against the man’s throat. “If you even think about going after my packmate, I’ll slice your throat and see how long it takes for you to bleed out.”

Lakota stood behind the man, close enough to intimidate.

Then Tak gave Henry a sharp look. “Lucian has my approval to make this challenge. Should we take it to the Council?”

“That won’t be necessary,” a woman’s voice called out. Eden’s heels clicked against the wood floor as she crossed the silent room.

Heads turned, and this confrontation escalated to a new level.