Honesty is my motto; seducing Flynn was my plan, she thought, wanting nothing more than to spend the day in bed, making love.

Flynn’s arousal was evident, his hard length poking her in the stomach. “ I’m afraid it will have to wait. I have a surprise for you.” He grinned. “Downstairs.”

“A surprise? You didn’t have to do that,” she chided as he took her hand and led her out the door.

“Of course I did. It’s tradition that I give my True Mate a First Mating gift.”

She blushed again at mention of what they shared early that morning. Twice. “But I don’t have anything to give you.”

He brought his lips to hers, sipping at them sweetly. “You already have.”

Her faced flamed as she remembered her boldness at taking him. He chuckled in response, knowing where her thoughts were. His thoughts were there as well, as evidenced by his still-hard cock tenting his jeans.

“Now close your eyes and hold my hand. The surprise is out front.” He waited until she closed her eyes and took his hand; then he led the way.

Sasha knew the moment they stepped outside. She smelled fresh air and trees, just mowed grass and turned earth, hay and flowers. In the distance she could hear animals. Horses, cows, and birds. And through it all, she could feel the sunshine. She raised her face, breathing deeply of the warm air.

Flynn stood behind her, holding her close. “Feels good to be out and smell the fresh air, doesn’t it?”

“It’s wonderful.” She sighed, leaning back and enjoying the moment with Flynn holding her close.

He gave her a hug. “Open your eyes.”

She opened them and saw a long driveway and a dark metal-flake green Jeep Liberty sitting in front of them at the bottom of the porch where they stood. The Jeep was complete with KC lights and big traction tires.

“What do you think?” he asked as he led her down the steps.

“It’s nice. I like the color,” she replied as she walked around it.

“It’s yours.”

She looked at him, startled. “Pardon?”

“The Jeep is yours.” He put a set of keys in her hand.

She stood still in shock, looking first at the Jeep, then Flynn. Then her brain came back.

“I can’t accept this, Flynn.” She shoved the keys at him, but he wouldn’t take them.

“It’s already done.”

“But I already have a car.” She caught the wary look on Flynn’s face. “Don’t I?”

“I’m afraid it was stolen before we could retrieve it. I’m sorry.”

“Stolen? But I wasn’t finished paying for it yet!” she cried, sitting down on the porch steps.

Flynn sat beside her, taking her hand. “That’s all been taken care of, sweetheart. I paid what the insurance didn’t cover and then got you a replacement.”

She gaped at him. “How? Why?”

He laughed a little. “As you will soon discover, I have more than enough money to live the way I want us to. And as for the why, well”—he touched her cheek tenderly—”you have come to mean a great deal more to me than I ever thought possible. And I knew you needed a car, so I got what I thought suited you best. This.” He nodded at the Jeep.

“Oh, Flynn!” She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. “You keep doing stuff like this, and I’ll start crying again.”

“None of that now. I have the rest of the day planned out, so I want you feeling your best.” He hugged her back, then helped her up to look at the Jeep again.

“So, what plans did you have in mind?” she asked silkily.

He pinned her against the Jeep, grinding his erection between her thighs. “If we had time, I’d show you.” He kissed her senseless.

When she could think again, he took the keys out of her hand, ushering her to the passenger side and helping her in. He then walked around to the driver’s side and climbed in, starting the engine.

“Since you have no idea where to go, I’ll be your driver for the next few days. That way you can familiarize yourself with the area until you feel confident to drive on your own.”

“Okay, that sounds good.” She buckled up.

As they made their way down the drive, Sasha took the opportunity to get a good look at her surroundings. She was in awe, of course.

She was on a ranch. A real Montana ranch, complete with a giant ranch house, outbuildings, a red barn, white picket fences, and horses grazing in the pasture. This place had to be a dream. She was going to wake up soon and be back in her tiny apartment, working at a job she tolerated. Her mom would call and borrow some more money; one of her sisters would call to ask if she could babysit again. And all she would have was this dream to keep her company in a world of sameness and disappointment.

“Sasha, you all right?” Flynn asked as they pulled out onto the main highway.

She looked over at him. “I’m not sure really. This all feels so much like a dream, you know? I mean, I’m the type of person who could win a thousand dollars, then crash her car the next day. That’s usually how my luck runs.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Well, sweetheart, I think your luck has changed.”

“No offense Flynn, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. On my head.”

He smiled at that. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Everything will be fine. Besides, I think you’re more than due for your share of happiness. You’ve put everyone else first. Now it’s your turn.”

She smiled back, feeling a bit foolish. “Sorry. I guess my new life still hasn’t settled up here yet.” She tapped her temple.

“Understandable and there’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re used to living one way, and now that has changed. It’s normal to feel as if things are a bit surreal. That’s how the mind adjusts to drastic changes. Once you get into a normal routine, you’ll feel much better and less anxious.”

“Huh, the only normal routine I had was going to work every day. And since I’ve been gone these couple of weeks without calling in, I can safely say I probably don’t have that job anymore.”

“Sorry. They didn’t think it right to keep you on since you never called them in person.” His tone conveyed how sorry he was. “But look on the bright side. Now you can do anything you want. Even go back to school if that’s what you choose.”

She thought about that for a moment, letting the idea slowly sink in. “I could, couldn’t I? And with the money I have in my 401(k) from work, which would be more than enough to pay for anything I would want to pursue. So yeah, school sounds good.” She had gotten her GED a few years back but never had the time or money for college.

“You wouldn’t need to use your money, sweetheart. The Pack has scholarships set up for anyone who wants to further their education.”

“But I couldn’t accept that kind of help, Flynn. School costs a great deal these days, no matter what you pursue. Allowing someone else to pay for that just wouldn’t be right.”

“Nonsense, love. That’s why the scholarships were set up in the first place. Hell, we’ve all used them at one time or another. Me, Roan, Gabe, and just about every Pack member I know. And it’s not just for us; we also help the Pack in the long run,” he explained. “My father had a saying: ‘A smart Pack is a strong Pack.’ And he was right. Every one of us who has learned something new has benefited the Pack in some way.”

“You’re a doctor.”

“That’s right. And Roan is a financial whiz. Gabe is into computers, and my mother is a vet.”

“Hmm, well, I guess I’ll have to think about that.”

“You’ve got plenty of time to decide.” He patted her leg.

Maybe. And maybe not. They were both thinking about her upcoming transformation and what that could mean but had silently agreed not to bring it up. Lord knew the moment would come soon enough. Now was for relaxing and letting worries go.

Sasha had no a clue where they were going. She had lived in the South her whole life and had never once crossed the Mississippi River. Not to mention the fact that she was terrible with directions. Telling them and getting them. She was directionally impaired. Sad but true. Which was why she couldn’t tell how they got to a large shopping mall. She did notice that it took over forty minutes of ranchland and forest to get there, though. Living in the country had its drawbacks.

Flynn was lost in his own thoughts during the drive. Most of which was centered on just how he could prepare Sasha for her First Transformation. And he would find a way to help her. He couldn’t lose her now when he had just found her. She was his Mate, and he would save her at any and all costs. This trip was the first step.

Flynn found a parking space close to the mall entrance and shut off the engine.

“Okay, I’ll bite. Why are we here?” She looked around with confusion.

He turned to her. “Two reasons actually. The first is obvious. You need clothes and other items. This is the perfect place to get them.”

“And the other reason?”

“Well, that reason is connected to the first one, so it can’t be helped.”

“And?” She prompted.

“You have a heightened system now even though you haven’t gone through the First Transformation yet. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. All these senses are magnified and might seem overwhelming once we step into the mall, surrounded by so many humans. But don’t worry, I’ll help. And if it gets to be too much, we’ll leave and come back when you feel you’re ready.”

“All right. But why haven’t I felt that way at your house?”

“We live almost thirty miles outside the city limits on about fifteen hundred acres. There’s not much chance of a great teeming crowd showing up.” He smiled to help her feel more comfortable.

“I see your point.” She then took a deep breath. “So Doc, what’s the plan?”

“We’ll go about this slowly. Start out here in the parking lot and then gradually make our way inside. But the minute I feel you start to panic or feel overwhelmed, we’re gone. Understand?”

“Gotcha.”

“Good. Now, open your door and just sit there. Remember to breathe steady and don’t try to identify everything at once. Pick one thing and focus on that. It helps.”

“Here goes,” she said as she opened the door.

She sucked in a sharp breath, head snapping back as if she had been slapped.

“Sasha, you all right? Can you hear me?” Flynn asked, seeing her brows scrunched with pain, a small whimper escaping.

He quickly got out the car and came around to her side. He pushed her hand away from her head and tilted her face up. “Can you understand me?” “Yes. Head hurts a little.” She blinked a few times like she was trying to focus.

“I know. Find one thing and concentrate on that. If you can’t, we’re leaving. Now. I won’t risk your health for a new wardrobe.” He frowned, taking her pulse, the doctor in him coming to the fore.

After all she had been through, he was pushing too hard, but the full moon was coming quick and she needed to understand her new senses. Bringing her to a busy shopping mall had seemed like a good way to help. Now he wasn’t so sure. Her pulse was erratic, skin clammy, complexion sheet white. She was breathing hard, chest rising and falling rapidly. Flynn could feel her pain beating at his senses like hummingbirds wings. Then, like a slow tide, it receded and a slow smile curved her luscious lips.

“I see by that smile that you’ve found something to focus on?”

“Uh-huh. You.” She smiled, her color finally returning as her pulse and breathing steadied.

He pulled her up into his arms, lightly kissing her. “I’ll be glad to be your focal point. And after we get home, we can focus on a few more points.” He growled, kissing her deeper, his erection poking her in the stomach.

She pulled back a little after the kiss, smiling up at him while her hands played in his hair. “Well, you might want to get your point under control, or people will stare.”

“You make me crazy.” He laughed, laying his forehead on hers. “One kiss and you have me stiff as a poker, ready to have my way with you.”

She laughed as well. “Don’t worry. We can have our way with each other when we get home.” Her stomach then rumbled.

“That’s a promise. But food first and then clothes. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand and locked the Jeep.

Flynn reminded her that as long as she kept her focus, then everything would be fine. Otherwise, she could suffer sensory overload. Flynn let out a deep breath, glad his True Mate was such a quick study. She would need that quick mind.

After they ate—rather, glutted themselves—they did some shopping. She wanted to pay for everything, but Flynn refused. She wanted to shop for bargains; Flynn wanted her to have the best, damn the cost. She said it was really weird going into a pricey store and buying whatever she wanted. Sasha told him she had been shopping for deals as long as she could count money and pay for things herself. Buying a sixty-five-dollar pair of jeans that fit perfect was really strange in her world. After he recommended the two-hundred-dollar pair of boots that she looked sexy as hell in, well, the expression on her beloved face was more than worth the price. They looked great with the skirt and cashmere sweater Flynn added to the purchase.

Flynn had never been much of a shopper. He usually found exactly what he needed, paid for it, and left the store. But shopping for Sasha was a new joy. She wasn’t used to having expensive things. But that was going to change. His Mate deserved to have the best, and that was what she was going to get.

By the time Flynn was satisfied, it was late, and they needed to get back. Plus, she was starting to get pale again, and he could feel her pain. Trying to focus on him and shop at the same time was tough since she’d never done it before. Her first day of practice had gone well, but keeping it up was taxing.

“Time to go. You’re tired, and it’s getting late.” He took her arm and ushered her out of the mall.

“And hungry.”

“And hungry.” He chuckled. “Once you’re in the Jeep, you’ll feel a bit better.”

“What do you mean?”

“Soundproof. I had it done to make your transition easier.”

“You did that? For me?” Her surprise was evident, but she was clearly happy that he would go to such trouble. “You’re going to spoil me.”

“That’s the plan.”

She got in the passenger side and closed the door to blessed silence. “Ahh, that feels great.” She sighed, closing her eyes and laying her head back against the headrest.

Flynn put the bags in the back, closed the door, then got in and started the engine. They were out of parking lot area before Sasha knew it.

“Better?” he asked, touching her cheek.

She opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. “Much, thanks.”

The further away they drove, the less pain Flynn could feel from Sasha. He let out a silent breath, glad of her quick recovery time.

“Flynn, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” She looked over at him with luminous eyes.

“What’s that?”

“You wouldn’t happen to remember some jewelry I might have been wearing, would you? The night I was attacked?”

“Jewelry?” His brow furrowed in thought. “No, I don’t recall seeing any jewelry on you. Come to think of it, you were barely covered in that dress of yours. It was in bad shape. Torn beyond repair, I’m afraid.”

She frowned in disappointment. “Oh, well, I was just hoping that maybe one of you guys had found the set. No big deal.” Though Flynn could tell it was. “I figured there was a slim chance the set might have been recovered.”

“The set?”

“Yeah. A gold torque with matching bracelet. It was pencil thin and had matching wolf heads with emerald eyes on the ends. The bracelet too.”

“You’re kidding.” He laughed. “Wolf heads?”

“I kid you not.” She smiled wanly. “I bought the set at an antiques shop. It was beautiful and bargain priced for the amount of gold, so I couldn’t resist.”

“Well, I’m sure I would have remembered seeing something like that. We’ll ask Gabe. Maybe he knows something about them. If not, I’ll have another set made for you. No problem.”

“That’s okay, Flynn; you don’t have to do that. You’ve bought me more than enough already.”

“I’m not doing this because I have to, sweetheart. I’m doing this because I want to. You deserve to have nice things, to be taken care of.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“But when you do all this, it makes me feel like I’m using you. Like I’m taking advantage.” Her eyes lowered, a blush staining her cheeks.

“Darlin’, you’re not using me.” He smiled as she looked up at that. “You forget the Lupus can smell deceit, and you haven’t a deceitful bone in your body. In fact, you’re the most honest and straightforward person I know outside of the Pack.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “You have a home with us, with me now. I want you to feel comfortable, at ease with your new life. I want you to be happy and free of worries.”

She looked down at their joined hands. “I’m not sure I know how,” she whispered, her demeanor that of a lost child. “I’ve been adrift for so long and put everybody else first that there was usually nothing left for me. Being happy for myself is kind of a foreign concept. It hasn’t happened all that often.”

“It will now. You can count on it. Your happiness and well-being are my top priorities.”

She looked over at him, giving him a glimmer of a smile. “Is that the doctor or Flynn speaking?”

“All and more, baby.” His voice was raspy as they finally turned into the drive. “And tonight I’ll show you just how happy I can make you.”

“What an accommodating man you are.” She grinned with wicked delight.

“Only for you, darlin’,” he growled, leaning over to kiss her deeply. He couldn’t help it. It had been hours since last he tasted her.

Good Lord, but the woman tasted like heaven. He couldn’t wait until they were alone in their room. The thoughts and ideas going through his head couldn’t be accomplished in the front seat. A bed would definitely be needed for what he had in mind.

A discreet knock on the driver’s side window interrupted anything more.

Giving her a wicked grin that hinted at more to come, Flynn opened the door to a beautiful woman with flame-colored hair and Charlie’s features. This must be the older sister, Angel, Sasha surmised, not sure if she should be happy to meet Flynn’s sister or ticked that the woman had interrupted them. “Well, when did you blow in?” Flynn asked, picking Angel up in a hug and laughing.

“Put me down, you mutt!” She squealed in delight.

“Is that any way to talk in front of my True Mate?” His tone was filled with mock seriousness as he put her on her feet. “And here I thought Mated life had mellowed you.”

“You must have Angel confused with some other Lupa,” a tall, gorgeous man with jet hair and laughing green eyes said as he came to Angel’s side.

Both men laughed as they shook hands and embraced good-naturedly.

“Robert, what brings you both by?” Flynn smiled. “It’s been a few months.”

“We came to meet your True Mate, of course,” Angel replied.

“Among other things,” Robert said mysteriously.

“Later.” Angel gave him Mate a pointed look. “I want to meet Flynn’s True Mate first.”

Sasha was standing behind Flynn while all this was going on, watching the three exchange greetings with laughter and love. A great difference between her family greetings and this one. Although she didn’t miss the byplay between Angel and her Mate. It gave her a feeling something was up. She really didn’t want to know. Her dance card was full at the moment.

When Flynn turned to her, she stepped to his side. “Sasha Edwards, this is my sister, Angelique, and her Mate, Robert Douglas.”

“Angel, please.” She smiled, giving Sasha a warm hug. Sasha could smell apprehension and something else coming from her. She hadn’t gotten the hang of putting smells to all the emotions yet.

“Nice to meet you.” Sasha returned her hug; then Robert came up, he too embracing her warmly. The Lupus were a touchy people.

“All right, Angel, what’s up? You’ve got that look, and I smell trouble.” Flynn crossed his arms, trying to look stern. The twinkle of merriment in his light eyes ruined the effect, though.

“Why Flynn, I do believe I’m hurt. Can’t I come and meet your True Mate without suspicion?” Her green eyes, so much like her mother’s, widened innocently.

“Cut the crap, Angel. What’s up?” He gave her a gimlet eye.

“Okay, since you asked so nicely.” She snorted. “Gabe sent me and Robert an e-mail a couple of weeks ago with a rather interesting picture attached.”

“And?” Flynn prompted.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out Sasha’s torque set.

“My jewelry! Where did you find them?” She was glad they weren’t lost.

Angel gave her a strange look, not attempting to hand over the set. Okay, something was definitely up here.

“What’s going on, Angel?” Flynn asked a bit more sternly, also seeing the odd look on her face.

She wasn’t paying any attention to Flynn, though; her eyes were directly on Sasha. “Where did you get these?”

Her tone was casual but with a slight edge of accusation. Sasha didn’t like it.

“They’re not stolen, if that’s what you’re implying,” she answered with steel in her voice.

“Please, just tell me.”

Sasha wasn’t sure that she liked being interrogated about something she had spent her hard-earned money on.

“I got them a couple of years ago at an antiques shop. The dealer said they were fifty years old, possibly older. I paid a few hundred dollars for them. That satisfy you?”

Angel blinked with surprise, then started laughing outright. “Thank God the man never knew what he had.”

Sasha stared in confusion at her change in behavior.

“Angel, I swear…” Flynn growled.

He was ignored. “Sasha, I’m so sorry. It’s just, well, the dealer was way off base about the age of these pieces.”

Now Sasha was confused. “They’re not fifty years old?”

“More like a few thousand.” She snorted.

“Pardon me?” It was Sasha’s turn to blink in surprise.

“What’s going on?” Flynn continued to ask that question, but it looked like Angel wasn’t ready to answer him yet.

Sasha looked at the set in Angel’s hand; she had a dreamy expression on her face and not a little awe.

“I never thought to see these in my lifetime, let alone hold them.” Angel looked at the three of them. “These are a piece of our history. A small but solid link to our past and proof positive that humans weren’t the only thriving species on the planet thousands of years ago.”

“Wait,” Sasha said, holding up her hand. She really hated to be confused. “If these pieces are so valuable as far as history is concerned, and I’m assuming monetary as well, then how in the world did I end up with them? Shouldn’t they be in some museum or collection somewhere?”

“There isn’t much of our history that is available to the outside world, so the dealer had no basis for comparison, thank God. He just knew they were old and solid gold,” Robert explained. “And as for being in a museum or private collection, yes, they should be. Or more accurately, they would have been if not for a small detail surrounding them.”

“What detail?” Flynn asked, now as curious as Sasha despite being ignored.

“A very old prophecy,” Angel replied with glee.

“A prophecy?” Now she knew she didn’t want the answer.

“That’s right.” Angel grinned widely, then went into further detail. “A few thousand years ago, a great Alpha reigned but was alone. Then one day, he found his Mate, his True Mate. She too was an Alpha, almost as strong as he. As a First Mating gift and a sign of great respect, he had a torque set fashioned for her that was identical to his own. Together they ruled for many centuries and had many children. But the Pack seer had grave news about the future of the Lupus. That one day, our numbers would dwindle, and fewer and fewer babes would be borne until none would be borne at all. Mated couples would try to conceive, but to no avail. The Lupus would die without children to carry on the line. But the seer also had a prophecy, a ray of hope for our future. That one day she would come, our Alpha of old restored, to breathe new life into our fallow fields, to give strength where once was weakness and hope where once was despair. She who wears the Alpha’s twin torque will be our salvation.”

“Or she would have been if a jealous lover hadn’t murdered the Alpha and his True Mate. She got rid of both torques, ensuring that the prophecy wouldn’t happen, no matter the consequences,” Robert added.

“Well, that’s a very interesting history lesson, but it still doesn’t explain how I got the set and nobody could see how old and valuable they are.” She wasn’t sure where these two were going with this and definitely did not wanting to know. She had the distinct feeling she wouldn’t like it.

“Of course it does. It’s what most call fate or kismet.” Angel seemed to enjoy sharing that supposition.

“Fate?” Sasha snorted in disbelief. “Sorry, but I’m not a believer in fate, kismet, or any of the above. Real life and hard work won’t allow it.”

“Well, I think your belief system is about to change.” Angel chuckled.

“Oh, how’s that?”

“Because the prophecy just came true.” She paused, then added, “Through you.”

“Whoa! I think you need to reevaluate here, okay?” Sasha held up a hand. “I’ve been a part of this Pack two days. Well, two conscious days. And I’ve had a lot of things thrown at me.” Literally. “But this is just too much.”

“Are you sure, Angel? This isn’t one of your stories, is it? Some obscure piece of lore with no basis in fact?” Flynn seemed as shocked and distressed as Sasha.

Sasha gave Angel a puzzled look at Flynn’s question.

“I’m an anthropologist specializing in ancient cultures. I’m also the Pack historian,” Angel told her, then directed her attention to Flynn. “And no, it’s not some story, and yes it’s true. The torque set alone proves that.”

“But how do you know, Angel? And why haven’t any of us ever heard about this legend?” Flynn asked, his expression saying he was taken aback by all this.

“Because it was hidden,” Robert replied.

“Let me guess, history buff too?” Sasha raised a brow.

“Sort of. I specialize in the restoration and repair of ancient artifacts. Documents, paintings, jewelry.”

“Which is how we just stumbled onto the legend,” Angel said.

“Quite literally, in fact.” Robert laughed.

“Wait.” Flynn held up his hand to stop any further tales. “Before another lengthy discussion ensues, let’s go inside. Sasha and I haven’t eaten yet, and I think it best to hear the rest of this on a full stomach.”

Sasha wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the rest.

“Good idea. Dinner should be ready by now anyway.” Angel nodded as she finally handed over Sasha’s torque set.

“Thank you. I never thought I’d see these again.” She eyed the set with trepidation.

“And now you’re not sure about having them at all,” Angel surmised.

They walked up the porch steps and into the foyer.

“Well, age alone makes them extremely valuable. But ancient prophesies are not exactly a part of my belief system, no matter the supposed proof of this set,” Sasha replied, still clinging to her doubt. Though she did get the sinking feeling another bomb was about to be dropped. On her head.

“There you are.” Charlie entered the dining room. “I’m sure Angel has imparted her news?”

“We got the main part, but not all of it,” Flynn said with a little disgust.

“Well, come on and eat. She can finish while we fill our bellies.” Charlie ushered them to the dining room, her arm around Sasha’s shoulders. “You just keep getting more popular as the days go by.” She squeezed Sasha’s shoulder in sympathy.

“Unfortunately,” Sasha grumbled.

“Don’t worry, dear. We’re all here for you,” Charlie soothed.

“Thanks.” Sasha gave her a wan smile; then Charlie walked away and took a seat at the table.

Everyone else was already at the table. They had apparently been waiting for the four of them.

“By the looks of displeasure and annoyance I see on both your faces, I can safely assume Angel has departed her bit of news,” Roan stated, looking not the least bit surprised by the whole tale. Or proof. But that was Roan. Cool and collected.

Flynn pulled her chair out, waiting for her to sit, then took his own, getting a plate for them both and filling them with agitation. “Yes, we got a brief outline, but not the whole tale.”

Sasha thought about what Angel had already told them and decided she was going to remain silent for the rest of the story. She had learned that she picked up more details that way. And, to be honest, she was simply starved. The food going in was way more important than any questions that she might have. Besides, Flynn or someone else was bound to ask something she was thinking. So she could enjoy her meal and learn at the same time. She just hoped the account didn’t give her heartburn.

Robert took a sip of his drink and started the story. “Like I said outside, the prophecy was hidden. All knowledge of it was destroyed, and the few who knew of it were eliminated. Both torque sets were sold to get rid of them, thus ensuring the female set never landed in the hands of a Lupa again.”

“But why? Why go to such lengths? And who would do such a thing?” Flynn asked with clear impatience.

“The why and who are easy enough,” Angel replied, finishing a bite of her food. “Love, jealousy, anger, greed, all the usual reasons. The who was the Alpha’s ex-lover because she thought she was going to be his Mate.”

“Sounds familiar, eh, brother?” Roan asked drily.

Flynn sat back in his seat, a look of resignation on his face. “All right, all of it. The whole tale. Now.”

Sasha looked around the table, noting the myriad expressions on faces. They ranged from grim to downright confused. As for herself, she wasn’t sure what she was feeling about the whole thing. But she did know this much—whatever else Angel and Robert had to say, she wasn’t going to like it, and neither was Flynn.

“Her name was Neena, and she’d been the Alpha’s lover for years with aspirations of more. Then on a routine trip to meet with other Pack members, the Alpha—his name was Nikos, by the way—met his True Mate, Tala. She was young and had yet to go through her First Transformation. Her father, Orren, was the old Alpha’s Beta and had moved away to start a family of his own after the old Alpha’s death. Nikos stayed in touch, but travel was slow back then, even for a Lupus, so months or even years would pass before they could meet,” Angel explained. “Anyway, when word got back to Neena about Tala, she started plotting. Everything went wrong, of course, no matter what she did. And after a few years and a couple of children, Nikos and Tala had had enough, banishing Neena to one of the more remote Packs.”

“Didn’t stop her, though. In Neena’s mind, the Alpha and his status rightly belonged to her. And gaining that position was a goal she would achieve at all costs,” Robert added.

“Even if it meant dooming future generations?” Flynn’s expression said he was appalled by such actions. He wasn’t the only one, if the varying looks around the table were any indication.

“Even then.” Robert nodded. “And after she learned of the prophecy, she was even more determined. If she couldn’t have what she wanted, then no one would.”

“What a nut,” Gabe quipped, shaking his head.

“Yes. Which probably explains a lot of her rather irrational behavior,” Roan commented.

“Somehow, she had Nikos and Tala murdered. Details are still sketchy at this point as to how it was done. But we do know they were killed, and the chosen few who also knew about the prophecy were killed as well,” Angel continued.

“The old seer—Diona was her name—did have some parting words before she died, though,” Robert said with a glee that only a lover of mysteries could understand.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.” Flynn groaned, rubbing his head with frustration.

“Take heed, for old hates die hard,” Robert supplied.

“Jeez, she knew, didn’t she? She knew that it would happen again?” Gabe asked.

Robert nodded. “Yes, Diona knew history would repeat itself. She also knew her time was running short. With Nikos and Tala dead, along with several others who had shared the secret, Diona had to make sure those deaths, and her own, weren’t in vain, that her knowledge of the events taking place and her prophecy would be left behind somehow for future generations.”

“So she wrote it all down. The prophecy, everything that happened with Nikos and Tala and Neena, even a sketch of both torque sets. Then she hid the documents in a puzzle box and gave them to Nikos’ eldest son with instructions that the box only belong to an Alpha and it had to be given as a First Mating gift if and when the Alpha found his Mate. True or otherwise. Then she too was murdered.”

“A puzzle box? I don’t remember Father having anything like that.” Flynn looked at his mother.

“That’s because he gave it to me before any of you were born,” Charlie replied. “I thought it a strange First Mating gift, but your father said it was an Alpha tradition, so I didn’t question it. And the box is beautiful. All inlaid semiprecious stones in wolf designs and gold accents. I knew it was old, so I put it away in the attic for safekeeping. It had totally slipped my mind that it was still there until Angel and Robert brought it to me.”

“Before Father was killed, he had asked me to catalog some old documents and a few ancient pieces of pottery. He asked Robert to come along as well in case any of the pieces needed to be restored and/or have better storage facilities,” Angel said.

“I jumped at the chance, of course. Not many in the Pack are privileged enough to actually get to handle pieces of our history. I was thrilled. Even more so when I accidentally tripped over an old skateboard, landing in a cardboard box full of old clothes and the puzzle box. It popped out and slid a few inches across the floor.” “When I first picked it up, I thought it was some sort of jewelry box. But after closer inspection, I couldn’t find any clasps or hinges. The workmanship and detail were exquisite, and I knew it was old. It was also damaged. Some of the stone inlays were loose or coming out and needed to be repaired. When I told Father about it, he explained what it was, why he had it, and made me promise to bring it back after it was repaired. I didn’t have a problem with returning it.” Angel shrugged. “Our history and traditions are important, and the box was part of that.”

Robert laughed softly. “Little did we know how important and how big a part the box played.”

“So how did you find the documents? Or should I say, how did you know they were in the box?” Flynn asked.

“We didn’t.” Angel snorted, getting confused looks from everyone.

“Found them by accident. The loose inlay piece was actually a part of the opening mechanism. When I tried to fit the piece back in place, I heard a click, and one of the stone wolves sank into the box. I thought I had broken it somehow. So to keep from damaging it further, I ran it through my X-ray machine. And the results were astonishing. Lying in the middle of the box looked to be a wad of something. I really couldn’t tell at that point what the wad was, but I knew it was something important.” Robert’s eyes fairly gleamed with the telling of his find.

“That’s when I decided to call Father. He had to be told about our discovery and what he wanted us to do about it. He wanted us to be cautious, of course, but to proceed and let him know what we found.” Angel too looked excited about their discovery.

“It wasn’t easy, I’ll tell you that.” Robert chuckled good-naturedly. “Whoever designed that box was a genius. My X-ray showed where some of the pressure pieces were, but not in what order to push them. It took me and Angel nearly a year to figure the sequence out.”

“A year?” Gabe retorted.

“Yeah. The box has nine pressure pieces, and four of them had to be pressed at the same time. On opposite sides of the box. My hands are not that big.” He laughed, holding up both hands.

“Which is why the old seer instructed the box be given by the Alpha to his new Mate. When the box is passed to another set of hands, the pieces are pushed, and the four are pressed at the same time. The four stone wolves sink into the box activating the opening mechanism, and the top comes apart like a starburst. The documents were wrapped in oiled hide directly in the center of the box,” Angel explained with a delighted smile.

“Like I said, genius.” Robert nodded.

“Hmph.” Angel snorted. “The box wasn’t the only thing created by a genius. The documents were as well. They’re written in four different languages, three of which haven’t been used since the birth of Christ. The other one was totally unknown. If it wasn’t for the fact that it reminded me of Egyptian hieroglyphs, I never would have figured it out. Though to be honest, I’m still not sure some of my translations are accurate.”

“Hieroglyphs?” Roan asked.

“More like pictographs, but a few of the figures are almost the same as the Egyptian. I’ve never seen anything like it in any of the ancient cultures I’ve studied.” Angel shook her head in wonder.

“So, you’ve had this information all this time yet didn’t say anything,” Flynn said calmly, though Sasha could feel that he was anything but.

“Sort of,” Robert hedged.

“I would appreciate an answer on that as well.” Roan’s face was impassive, but his tone wasn’t.

“The documents are a few thousand years old, Roan. Once the air hit them, they started to decay. Rapidly. We had to place them in a special container to keep them from further damage. Then we had to set up a lab to examine them. And with my regular studies, lectures, and Robert’s traveling, it was another year before we could get everything set in motion. Then Father was killed and, well, the box was forgotten for a while,” Angel said sadly.

“But we did tell you, Roan. At the time, though, you were busy being the new Alpha,” Robert countered.

“Ah, the new research project five years ago. The one about some ancient translations.” Roan nodded.

“Exactly how long did it take to translate these documents?” Gabe asked.

“We’re still working on them. Especially the pictographs. That’s what the prophecy is written in,” Angel answered.

“But why haven’t you said anything before now?” Flynn’s tone was sharp, and Sasha could feel that he was getting a bit angry, so she put her hand on his leg. He smiled at her, knowing what she was trying to do. It worked, of course. He was smiling now instead of frowning.

“Like I said, the translations took time. And the only parts we had any ease with were the ones about Nikos and what happened to him and Tala. Being the Pack historian, I’m the only one who would be interested in such information. As to the prophecy, it’s only been six months or so since I was able to figure out some of the glyphs. After I did, I called Roan and told him I needed to update him on a research project. We had an appointment for next week.”

“Only Gabe’s e-mail upped the time frame and the importance of the information,” Roan guessed.

Flynn nodded in understanding, his brow scrunching. “Gabe, why did you e-mail Angel that picture of the set?”

“Well, the torque was badly damaged, and the bracelet didn’t fare that much better. And what with Robert’s expertise at repairing old jewelry, I thought he would be the perfect choice,” Gabe explained. “And with all the energy and attention focused on Sasha getting well, I didn’t think it that important to tell anyone.”

Flynn nodded again.

“All right, now that we have the facts, the only question left is what to do about the information we have. Or should I say, how do we use this information?” Roan leaned back in his chair.

Dinner had come to an end along with the story. Now that Sasha was full and rested, she thought about everything. And she kept coming back to one topic in particular. Children—or the soon to be lack thereof. Why would the prophecy pin its hopes on one female? If children were a concern, why not have a dozen females donate to the gene pool? That was obviously what the problem was about.

“You’ve been awfully quiet through all this, Sasha. You okay?” Flynn interrupted her thoughts as Charlie and Angel got up to remove the dinner’s remains.

She got up as well and grabbed hers and Flynn’s plates. “I’m not sure. My mind is still working on all this.”

She followed the other women into the kitchen, hoping Flynn wouldn’t get upset with that answer. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure what to think. Her mind was filled enough as it was. Adding an ancient prophecy to the mix was a little too much too soon.

“Now, Sasha, you didn’t have to do that. We could have gotten everything,” Charlie admonished.

Sasha smiled. “Good manners dictate I help. Besides, I felt the need to stretch my legs.” Sasha was starting to feel a bit edgy and jumpy the longer she sat at the table.

She put the dishes in the sink and got a good look around. It was a big kitchen. All black granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. A nice roomy modern kitchen.

Angel walked up behind her, and she jumped out of the way. Sweat was starting to bead Sasha’s upper lip and forehead. She was getting so hot.

“You don’t look so good,” Angel said with worry.

Sasha wiped her forehead off with the back of her hand, leaning against a counter. “I felt fine a moment ago. Now I feel like the walls are closing in on me, and I’m burning up.”

Flynn burst into the kitchen, his light eyes filled with concern. “Get her outside, Angel, now. I’ll fix a cool drink for her and meet you.”

“Outside sounds good,” Sasha agreed, bolting out the nearest door.

Good thing the kitchen had access to the backyard. She hit the back door running and didn’t stop till she found the barn and smelled hay and horses.

“Soon, I think. Maybe even tomorrow night.” Sasha whirled around, crouching to brace for an attack. She sighed with relief when she realized it was only Angel.

“Jeez, don’t do that. I’m jumpy enough as it is.” “Sorry.” Angel chuckled. “I’d forgotten how the symptoms are before the First Transformation.”

“I didn’t hear you come up. It was reflex.” Sasha’s toes started to tingle, a spasm hitting her in the back as she gave Angel an excuse for her odd behavior. The pain wasn’t enough to drop her to her knees, but it was close.

“I’d say it was more like instinct.” Angel looked at her curiously.

Sasha didn’t have time to dwell on the look, because Flynn was coming. She smelled him before she saw him. He was carrying a glass of ice water, but that wasn’t what she really wanted. The minute he came into view, need hit her like a sledgehammer, turning the tingles and cramping into a throb between her thighs. She had to have him.

Flynn stopped abruptly, nostrils flaring.

“Well, I think I’ll just mosey on back to the house.” Angel laughed as she left.

When Sasha knew Angel was gone, she started forward. Flynn dropped the glass and met her halfway. He picked her up, kissing her senseless as she moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Flynn.” She momentarily came up for air. She wanted so much more than a kiss, though.

He was one step ahead of her as he strode into the barn and found the nearest empty stall. They fell in a pile of straw, kissing and tugging at clothes. Before she knew it, they were both gloriously naked, skin-to-skin.

“Please,” Sasha moaned.

She didn’t want foreplay; she was way past that. No, she wanted the main course. She wanted Flynn inside her, filling her up.

He grabbed both her wrists in one hand, putting them above her head. His other hand squeezed her breast, pinching the nipple hard. Sasha groaned with pleasure, then nearly screamed as he plunged into her. He rammed into her and kept the pressure on her nipple, instinctively knowing what she wanted. By the time the orgasm ripped through her, she was completely lost, Flynn catching her screams of release with his kisses, his own release following in seconds with a shout of completion.

She must have blacked out, because when next she opened her eyes, she was covered with a blanket and lying in Flynn’s arms, still in the stall.

“Feeling better?” Those light eyes were dancing with merriment.

She looked up into his smiling face, feeling her own flame, but she smiled back anyway. “Yeah. I still feel a bit jumpy inside, but my back isn’t cramping anymore.”

His amusement was suddenly replaced by concern. “Any tingling?” He sat up so he could check her over. He took her pulse and looked in her eyes.

“A little in my hands and feet. It started in my toes first but was replaced by something else.” She gave him a sexy little smile.

He took her face in both hands and kissed her gently. She knew he was scared for her, that he didn’t want her to go through the pain. She could see it in his eyes, feel it.

“Soon, huh?”

“As fast as your symptoms have started, probably tomorrow night.”

She blinked. “But I thought I had at least two more days.”

Flynn let his breath out in a rush. “I had hoped you would, but what with this virus being so ancient and Jenna being a threat, seems your body and instincts have pushed your time sooner.”

“I don’t understand. I thought you said it had to be during a full moon.” She wasn’t panicking. Yet.

“Not always, no. There have been instances where the individual went through the process under extreme situations, and it wasn’t even close to a full moon. Seems your instincts have deemed this an extreme situation.” He frowned, his expression saying clearly he’d hoped they would have more time.

“Wow, tomorrow night at the latest.” She shook her head in astonishment, really not sure how she should feel about that news.

Flynn nodded with worry in his eyes. Just seeing that look made her want to be strong for him. And since there was nothing she could do to prevent this from happening, she really didn’t have much choice but to buck up and prepare.

“Okay.” She sat up with the blanket around her. “How will I know when the time is right?”

He took a breath and blew it out, he too bucking up. “Your whole body will tingle, and your skin will itch. The muscles in your arms, legs, and back will spasm and cramp. Your body temp will rise, and you’ll sweat, feeling like you’re burning up from the inside out. All your senses will be heightened, overwhelming you. You’ll have the uncontrollable need to be surrounded by nature. Your clothes will feel confining, and you’ll want to run after you’re in the forest. But you won’t be able to once the process starts in earnest.”

“That good, huh?” She tried to joke. She got a wan smile in return. “I guess drugs are out of the question?”

He nodded. “They interfere with the process.”

“So knocking me out won’t work either, huh?”

“No, you will have to be conscious and aware of your surroundings.”

“Oh.” She hoped there might be an easier way to go through this. Just her luck, there wasn’t.

“The only thing I can think that might help is our bond. You’re my True Mate, and as such, you might be able to use that.”

She thought about that for a minute, remembering the mall. Then something else came to her.

“But won’t you be able to feel or sense some of what I’m going through?” She wasn’t sure she wanted him to feel her pain in any way, nor was she sure how she felt about him yet, but she did know that she liked him, a lot, and she didn’t want him suffering along with her. He had already gone through this once himself; he didn’t need a repeat performance that would be worse.

“Yes, but I won’t be able to do anything to ease your pain. I’ll be practically helpless.” He growled with disgust, then grabbed her in a fierce hug. “The only time in my life where I’ll be unable to protect you, and it’s eating me alive inside.”

Sasha could feel his body shaking, sense his rage and guilt at not being able to help her when the time came. But she couldn’t let him feel this way. She needed him to be strong, to be her anchor when the storm finally hit.

“Don’t do this to yourself, Flynn.” She pulled back to look in his pain-filled eyes. “You’re the only one who can help me through this. The only one I trust to be there when the time comes. I’ll need you more than ever.”

She was already scared at the thought of so much pain; she didn’t need to worry about him as well, so she let him feel her certainty in him and her need of his strength. A moment later a look of steely determination flashed in his eyes, and his iron resolve flickered to life.

“I’m sorry, Sasha. Here I am trying to comfort you, and you end up comforting me.” He grinned ruefully. “But I’ve never felt like this before, and the thought of you hurting, well, I don’t like it.”

“I know.”

“I won’t lose you, Sasha.” He growled, kissing her fiercely, hungrily. “I won’t. You’re mine, all mine.”

He covered her body with his, kissing her blind, his hands everywhere. When he came up for air, he looked her directly in the eye, a strange expression akin to awe on his face.

“I never thought that one day I would have a woman like you in my arms, much less be my True Mate. You drive me crazy with your body.” He smiled. “And give me strength with your faith in my abilities. Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of you, and other times I feel blessed to have you at all. And when the time comes, know I’m at your side, lending you all the strength I possess,” he promised.

She gave him a watery smile, on the verge of tears. “Oh, Flynn.”

They made love all night. Sometimes tender, sometimes frantic. She was brought to tears at one point, awash in feeling, Flynn holding her, then taking her fiercely again. And through it all, the danger was shoved to the backs of their minds while their souls soared to the heavens. Unfortunately, what comes up must come down. And boy did it. Like a ton of bricks. And she was still naked too when it all went down.

Sasha awoke to a nagging noise and sweat trickling between her breasts. The good news was that she was in Flynn’s bed, beside him. The bad news was she was burning up, and the noise was Flynn breathing.

She looked at the bedside clock. It read almost four in the afternoon. Good Lord, how could I have slept so long? Then she remembered the night before and that morning in the barn. Yeah, now she knew how. Pure exhaustion.

Pushing the covers back, she got out of bed and almost made it to the bathroom when a muscle spasm hit in her lower back. She moaned aloud and dropped like a stone.

“Sasha?” Flynn asked sleepily.

“Flynn!” she barely gasped out, pain radiating up her back.

He rushed to her side, picking her up and placing her back in bed.

“It’s started, sweetheart. Just concentrate on us, all right? And try to breathe through the pain. I’m right here, and I’m not leaving.”

“I can’t breathe in here. Got to get out.”

Flynn was one step ahead of her, already lifting her in his arms and carrying her from the room. They were both still naked, though she was really feeling too bad to care. The closer they got to the kitchen door, the worse she felt. Even more so when Charlie spotted them.

“It’s begun?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m taking her to the clearing now. You and the others can meet us there.” He didn’t bother to stop as he walked out the back door.

When Sasha felt the fresh air against her heated skin, she wanted to shout with joy. Too bad another muscle spasm turned joy to pain. She gasped at the intensity of it.

“I know, sweetheart. Just breathe. It’ll be over soon, and you can run with the Pack. Run with me,” he said fiercely as they walked behind the barn and into the woods.

The smell of the forest and Flynn combined was almost overwhelming. She could hear every rustle around her. Everything was so bright and clear. And thank God she was already naked, or otherwise clothing would have really bothered her. As it was, being skin to skin with Flynn actually soothed her in a small way. That is, until her legs cramped up and her scalp started to itch.

She whimpered, trying to hold back a scream.

“Concentrate on me, do you understand? Breathe in my scent; listen to my heartbeat. Focus.”

Sasha knew he must be feeling some of what she was going through, so she did what he said, trying to do what she did when they went to the mall. It helped.

They made it to the clearing surrounded by large live oaks before the worst of her transformation began. Flynn gently deposited her on a thick pallet where a basin of cool water and cloths were already waiting for them. He bathed her face and body, trying to cool her down.

“Flynn, I…”

“Don’t talk. Save your strength and focus.” He spoke hoarsely, reminding her to use their bond to help.

Her body was a tingling mass of nerves, and the itch was spreading from her scalp to her chest and working its way lower. If her arms hadn’t been so cramped, she would have scratched her head. As it was, all she could do was tremble and ride the wave until it leveled off and the next one hit.

She looked at Flynn, fear beginning to settle in. “I’m scared.”

“I know, baby.” He bathed her with cool water, his face tight with shared pain and concentration. “But I’m right here, and I won’t leave your side, hear me? I won’t let you go through this alone. You can do this. You’re strong, so focus. Breathe in my scent, and use that to help you.”

As another wave of pain racked her body, Sasha could see Flynn feeling its echo in his own. His handsome face was tightened with tension, his breathing harsh. She hated that he had go through this with her, but for the first time in her life, she wasn’t alone. The circumstances weren’t exactly ideal, but he was with her, sharing everything with her. If that wasn’t enough to make her fall for the man, then nothing was.

Sasha heard the others come into the clearing but really didn’t care. She was too busy not screaming her head off when her back and legs spasmed again.

“How’s she doing, Flynn?” Angel asked.

“She’s strong. She’ll make it. She has to,” Flynn replied, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Sasha heard the utter conviction in his voice and felt his steely resolve. She knew then that he would do everything in his power to help her or die trying, which would happen if she didn’t make it. And the fact that he could feel what she was going through as well as her fear was what finally gave her the strength she needed to do no less than him. He was her Mate, her True Mate. They belonged together.

She grasped his hand in a firm grip and brought him closer. “Mine.” She gasped, trying to breathe through the pain. “You…are mine.” Tears welled up as the pain intensified.

He kissed her gently. “Yes. As you are mine.” Pain flashed across his face at the same time her stomach cramped with burning fire. “I won’t…lose you. I…love you.” He gasped, his tears mingling with hers.

“I love…you…too.” And she realized she did, the moment she saw him, and always would.

He gently kissed her again, both of them breathing harshly. As a particularly bad cramp seized her back and shoulders, she did cry out. She couldn’t help it. The wave of pain made every muscle in her body feel like one giant ache. There wasn’t an inch of skin that didn’t itch or tingle. And her insides felt like they were on fire and being melted down.

She distantly heard Flynn trying to talk. “You all…know what to…do before she fully…transforms.” He swallowed audibly, holding her hand and riding the pain with her as she cried out in agony. “She’ll need the…smell of the Pack to…help her find her way back…to us.”

“She’ll come back to us, Flynn. You’ll make sure of that,” Dillon stated.

At least she thought it was Dillon. She was in so much agony she wasn’t sure. She just wanted the pain to stop. She could actually feel her bones bending and her skin stretching. Feel hair sprouting all over her body. That was when she started to freak out a little.

“Sasha, calm…calm down!” Flynn exclaimed, touching her face and shoulders. “Focus on me…my scent. Concentrate on me.”

Sasha breathed him in, trying to focus, but it was so hard when she could feel her spine contort and her face elongate.

“Flynn!” She screamed, dimly noting that her voice had changed, and the more she screamed, the more it sounded like she was howling.

Sasha rolled onto her side, crying in agony as her body shed one form for another. Screaming and writhing in pain as her bones bent even more and her face turned into a muzzle filled with teeth. Canine teeth. Her mind registered everything that was happening to her body, from the smallest to the largest change. It was almost like she was watching the process and feeling it at the same time. But then, she noted she was getting weaker, that her heart was stammering with the strain of the transformation.

“No! Don’t do this, Sasha! Fight, damn you! Fight!” Flynn cried, holding her hand in a death grip.

She could feel herself starting to slip away, feel their bond begin to weaken. She was tired, so tired. All she wanted to do was sleep and never wake up. Let go and never feel this pain again.

“Please don’t…leave me.”

As Sasha felt herself slipping away, she also felt Flynn following her. Felt both their hearts stutter. She felt his love and knew she couldn’t let him die with her. So her only choice? Fight for them both. As she made that decision, the pain intensified. When she thought she could stand no more, a warm rush of power flooded through her, blinding her with its brilliance and filling her with new strength. When next she opened her eyes, everything around her looked brighter, clearer, even though she saw it was full dark. She could smell everything. Trees, grass, dirt, animals, and something strangely familiar. Something she knew but she couldn’t place.

“Sasha?” A gravelly voice called.

She swung her head around to see a reddish-brown wolf with Flynn’s eyes. “How do you feel?”

That’s right; the Lupus can talk in wolf form. She didn’t have a clue how, though.

“I’m not sure. I…” She stopped, not recognizing her own voice. It was lower pitched, rougher sounding. Almost like she was growling and talking at the same time. Really weird.

She blinked, clearly confused, and then tried to stand. Her legs, all four of them she realized, didn’t seem to want to work.

Flynn looked at her, tail wagging with joy. “Give it a minute, love. You’re still feeling the aftereffects of the transformation.”

Sasha looked back at Flynn, not believing her eyes. “It worked? We made it?” Finally making it to all fours. All fours! She had four legs!

Flynn licked her muzzle, rubbing his head against her neck. “Yes, love. We made it. Though it was a near thing.”

A great howling surrounded them as everyone celebrated her First Transformation and came to greet her wolf-style. A lot of rubbing and nuzzling, tail wagging and wolfish laughter.

Sasha looked at everyone in their wolf forms, bringing their scents into her nose and lungs. This was her Pack; it was also that familiar scent she smelled earlier. But one scent wasn’t like the others. She looked around to find its source, then spotted Dillon standing to the side. He was still in human form, not yet old enough for the First Transformation, a wide smile on his handsome little face. She walked over to him, sensing that something was unfinished, something important.

They were almost eye level, she noticed as she sat in front of him.

“You have returned, my Alpha,” he said, bowing low.

The minute he spoke those words, the memories of Tala fell into place in Sasha’s mind. It was like a part of her had been missing and was now returned. She also recognized an old friend in the boy in front of her. “As have you, Diona.” She bowed her head as well.

“The circle is complete. The prophecy fulfilled. But danger still hovers to threaten our Pack’s future.”

“I won’t fail, Diona. Not this time,” she promised, knowing what had to be done, yet feeling strange at the same time about what she was saying. It was almost like another person was talking through her mouth, yet it was still her. Acclimating herself to Tala’s memories was going to take getting used to.

He reached out and hugged her neck. “Of course you won’t. You will soon carry the future and the continuation of the Pack. You will be triumphant.” He pulled back, touching her head tenderly.

“Dillon?” Charlie came to their side, clearly confused. Huh, she was confused!

“Yeah, Mom?” Dillon responded, acting like there was nothing wrong.

“What the hell was that all about?” She was clearly nervous. Sasha could also smell a trace of fear. Though not for herself.

He looked at her in confusion. “Oh, sorry. I just now knew why I was supposed to be here.”

“Did I hear you say Diona?” Flynn and the others came over to them.

“Yes. Me and her are one. Just like Sasha and Tala are one,” Dillon replied.

“Say that again?” Angel demanded.

“You know, you just told all of us their story. Though Nikos is kind of one with Flynn and Roan.” He scrunched his brow in thought.

“Wait, wait.” Flynn’s ears were laid back in agitation. “What the hell is going on?” he growled, his posture saying he’d had enough mysteries for one night.

“I think he means reincarnation, right?” Robert asked, looking at Dillon.

“Uh, huh. Me and Diona, Sasha and Tala, and Nikos, Roan, and Flynn.”

“Nikos, Roan, and Flynn?” Angel had her head cocked to the side with the question.

“Yeah. Nikos’ soul got split ‘cause they’re twins. Roan was supposed to only get the Alpha part while Flynn got the True Mate part, but Roan has a True Mate, too. Only he hasn’t met her yet.” He shrugged. “So you see, Flynn and Sasha were meant to be together. Always.”

“Which also means that Neena…” Flynn began to say.

“Yes, she and Jenna are one.” Dillon frowned. “She has long been a shadow of hate trying to take your happiness. And sometimes even your lives.” He sounded much older than his twelve years. Though with an ancient seer’s soul, he was bound to mature faster than the average child.

“That’s great news.” Gabe gave a canine snort.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to kill her this time, Sasha. It’s the only way,” Dillon informed her sadly. “If she finds out you are soon to be with child, her rage will know no bounds. She must die so we can live on.”

“A child?” Roan and Flynn asked in unison, both looking at Sasha.

She was already stunned from first time she heard that, and hearing it a second time was no less shocking. Though being told she had to kill Jenna was equally shocking. All these revelations had her feeling rather light-headed. So it was a good thing she was already sitting down, blinking and shaking her head to clear it.

“Are you sure, Dillon?” Flynn came to her side and nuzzled her face in comfort.

“Of course. It’s not clear when she will conceive, but Sasha will soon be pregnant. And the child will be a girl.” He smiled, going to stand in front of Gabe. “And your True Mate.”

“What?” Gabe gasped, all the hair on his body standing on end.

“Did you think that meeting Sasha and saving her was mere coincidence? That Grandfather’s delusions weren’t real?” Dillon laughed. “No, we all have a purpose. But there is also danger.” He frowned again, looking at everyone. “This child has to be born. If she isn’t, then our species will slowly die out, and our souls won’t be reborn Lupus, running free with the Pack. They will be confined to a human shell.”

“A worse fate if ever there was one,” Robert said, shuddering with distaste.

“A True Mate.” Gabe’s voice was filled with awe. “I never even dreamed I would be lucky enough to find a Mate, much less a True Mate.”

Flynn gave Sasha one last lick, then padded over to Gabe.

“I’m honored to have your daughter as my True Mate, Flynn. She’ll want for nothing, I swear.” He stood tall and proud.

“I know you’ll take care of her. And truth to tell, I don’t think I would trust anyone else with her welfare. Or her heart,” Flynn replied, tail wagging.

“Thank you, my friend.” Gabe bowed his head in respect.

“Don’t you mean my father?” Roan asked, padding over to the two. “Gabe will be your son after the child comes of age.”

“Now that’s a trip. Flynn, my father by Mate.” Gabe laughed, tail wagging with joy.

“A baby.” Sasha was still waiting for the shock to wear off. It hadn’t.

Flynn came to her side again, his worry for her palpable. “You alright, sweetheart?”

“Not sure. I mean, here I am, a wolf. A talking wolf who just found out that I’m the reincarnation of the Lupus’ greatest female Alpha, I have to kill Jenna, and to top it all off, I’m soon to be pregnant with a daughter. Who, it just so happens, is Gabe’s True Mate.” She shook her head, feeling her ears sway with the movement. “I don’t know if I should just lose it now and run howling into the woods or wait till I change back so I can scream my head off. What do you think?” she asked him calmly. A little too calmly by the look in his ice-blue eyes.

And she actually felt calm. So calm that it was scary. Because she knew in a while, the shock would wear off, and she had no idea how she would react to all this.

“Well, I think a run would do you some good,” he told her, his voice sounding concerned.

She cocked her head to the side and looked at him. “You sure?”

“Absolutely. It’ll clear your head, and you can burn up some nervous energy. You’ll feel much better after a Pack run.”

Sasha felt strange standing on four feet. She felt like herself, but not. She felt more agile, powerful. All her senses were more accurate. She just felt free.

“Follow at your own pace. Don’t think about anything. Let your mind and spirit enjoy the moment. Enjoy being with the Pack,” Flynn instructed as they joined the others and started to run through the woods.

He was right. Running with her Pack was the most freeing and exhilarating feeling she had ever experienced. Well, next to making love with Flynn, of course.

All her primal instincts came to the fore. She could rationalize and negotiate her environment. She knew there were rabbit and deer, opossum and raccoon nearby, scurrying to avoid their detection. A myriad of green smells and damp earth, rotting leaves, and clean air filled her lungs as they ran deeper into the forest. And overall was the smell of her Pack mates around her as they ran and jumped, bumped, and nudged each other playfully. She was home, and this was her family. Her Pack. She couldn’t bear it if something were to destroy this or them. And that was when it finally sank in, the precariousness of the situation and the solution to it all.

Her.

Like Roan, she was Alpha whether she chose to be or not. And as such, she had a responsibility to the Pack, a duty, a destiny to ensure their future, one free of jeopardy. That their children had a future.

She knew what she had to do. She had to stop Jenna, stop the cycle of hate and jealously that had been following her and Flynn through lifetime after lifetime. Stop the bitterness and jealousy before it destroyed the Lupus. That meant Jenna had to die. Sasha’s unborn daughter deserved the chance to live and love, and Sasha was going to give her that chance. Killing Jenna would be a small sacrifice. One bad life for the good of all the others. She could sleep well at night with that.

But how in the world was she going to accomplish it? Knowing what had to be done and doing it were two different things. . But she had plenty of teachers and two weeks to prepare. The bad news was she was going to be fighting to the death. And she was soon to be pregnant. Could be tomorrow. A tricky deal to be sure. A plan would be good. One in her favor.

They stopped in a clearing to rest after covering several miles. She had just run probably three or four miles, and she wasn’t even winded. In fact, she felt great. Better than she had ever felt in her entire life. She was alive, so alive!

“Did the run help?” Flynn asked after they had rested a bit. He hadn’t left her side. She was more than happy to have him with her.

“Yeah, it let me get my thoughts in order.” She licked his muzzle with affection. Hmm, she wondered how Lupus did it in wolf form. Maybe later when there wasn’t such a crowd.

“Keep that up, and we’ll be going behind a tree.” He growled, returning the lick and picking up on her needs.

“All right. But I get to have my way with you later when there isn’t an audience.”

“Guaranteed, sweetheart.” Flynn gave her a wolfish grin.

They lay there for a while, content with their surroundings and each other. When it was time to go, Roan led the way back by a different route, but they still came back to the clearing, only on the opposite side. Unfortunately, they all smelled trouble before breaking through the trees. And it was the scent of blood.

Two good-looking men were talking with Dillon. One was tall with shoulder-length blond hair, and the other was a couple of inches shorter with close-cropped black hair. Both wore the same expression. Pissed off. Hmm, Sasha sensed bad news.

“Mikeal, Steven, what’s happened?” Roan asked with authority as he approached the two men.

The blond spoke first. Or rather, he growled first.

“Jenna’s escaped,” he spat out.

“How?”

“She had help,” the dark one answered with disgust.

“How?” Roan asked again, eyes beginning to glow with ice fire.

The blond explained, knowing he wouldn’t be asked again. “She called her mother, Rhonda, saying she needed a few things and could she bring them by. We didn’t object,” he began, his voice getting angrier by the second. “When Rhonda got there, me and Steven went out to give a hand. She didn’t need it.”

“That crazy bitch shot me and then started shooting at Steven. Jenna got in her mother’s car during all the gunfire.” Mikeal growled. “They took off heading who knows where. That was less than an hour ago.”

“Are you hurt badly?” Flynn quickly changed back to man form as he approached Mikeal.

Sasha watched, deciding the movies and books got it all wrong. There was nothing gross or awful about the changing process. No twisting limbs or stretching skin. It was all colorful light and vapor. Quite beautiful, actually. Of course, a nude Flynn was heart-stopping. And all hers.

“No, it was a clean shot through my right shoulder, and it’s halfway healed. Hurt like hell, though,” he remarked as Flynn examined his wound.

“Well, is he all right?” Roan was still in wolf form.

“Yeah, the muscles and ligaments are fine, and the hole is almost closed. It’ll be sore for a few days, though.” Flynn gave Mikeal final instructions. “You’ll need to eat a lot of red meat to help replace any blood loss. And don’t change until the soreness is gone. You need time to heal in this form before changing into the other. Doctor’s orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You got any holes in you, Steven?” Flynn asked as he came to Steven’s side.

“Nah. Can’t say the same for my Mustang, though. That crazy bitch put four holes in it and busted the front window.”

“Better the car than you.” Flynn patted his shoulder.

“Easy for you to say.” Steven was clearly pissed. “You didn’t spend two years restoring it from the ground up.”

“Point taken.” Flynn chuckled. “You two go on up to the house. It’s late, so you both can bunk there. Dillon, show ‘em where, will ya?”

“Okay. And you guys can tell me what it’s like to get shot,” Dillon said with glee.

“Fair enough, pup.” Steven chuckled, ruffling Dillon’s hair as they walked toward the house.

Mikeal was slow to follow as he turned to Roan. “I’m sorry, Roan. We should have done more.”

“ Coming here instead of chasing after Jenna was the right call,” Roan assured the man.

“Exactly. Chasing her could have been a trap,” Flynn added.

Mikeal nodded stiffly, then followed Dillon and Steven back to the house.

“Sooner or later, she’ll show up here, if she hasn’t already. She’ll want to end what she started.” Gabe looked at Sasha.

“Which is why Flynn will be taking the women back to the house while the three of us scout around the area,” Roan directed. “I want both of them found.”

“Wait, Roan.” Sasha spoke up. “Jenna wants me so she can try to kill me. And apparently her mother is willing and able to help. This is my fight. I can’t ask you to risk yourselves.”

“I know, Sasha, but it’s more than your fight now. Rhonda shooting one of my guards guaranteed that. No, this is now a Pack matter. And as Alpha of this Pack, overall safety falls to me, so it’s my risk to take. Then there’s the matter of yours and Flynn’s unborn daughter. She’s our future. I won’t jeopardize that. Do you understand?”

She let out a breath, knowing he was right. “Yeah, I get it.” Then she padded over to him and bumped his muzzle. “I’m really sorry for all this, Roan. Somehow I feel like this is entirely my fault.”

He rubbed her head with his, trying to comfort her.

Oh, but for a twist of fate, Roan could have been her True Mate. Well, that was an odd thought. Although not unfounded.

“Don’t blame yourself, my dear. This confrontation has been a long time coming and way overdue to my thinking.” He sighed, and then his eyes started to glow again. “She has brought us to this for the last time. I will end it as I should have done long ago. No mercy for those who endanger my Pack and threaten their future,” he snarled, his fur standing on end with anger and power.

Sasha could feel his power, smell his anger. His eyes were so bright with emotion that looking at them almost hurt. Then they dimmed, and he said something she had been thinking earlier. “You are my brother’s True Mate but could have been mine if not for a twist of fate. I don’t begrudge him his happiness, but before I knew that I also have a True Mate, I did envy him a bit. Still do in a way,” he admitted sheepishly.

“Roan…” Flynn began as he came to their side.

“No, brother, this must be said. My honor expects no less,” Roan replied formally. It was almost like a final confession, the way he was carrying on, Sasha thought.

Flynn nodded for him to continue. Sasha, of course, remained quiet.

“You’re a fine Lupa, Sasha, and will make a great Alpha. And I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about how great we could be together, but it wasn’t meant to be. You and my brother belong together. And he’s very fortunate for not only having you, but soon to have a daughter as well.”

She didn’t know what to say. She had no idea he felt like this. But then, she had been so wrapped up in her own problems, trying to sort out her new life, that she missed the signs. It made her feel sad on the one hand because Roan was such a gorgeous man with so much to offer, but she was also glad he had a True Mate somewhere. He wasn’t going to be alone for long.

“It’s odd, but I feel like she’s not only your daughter, but mine as well.” Roan looked at them strangely.

“Of course she is, brother. We shared a womb, and we share a soul. How could it be otherwise?”

Roan looked at Flynn with purpose. “This has to end, Flynn. The child must be born. Our future depends on her.”

“And you’ll be there to witness her arrival. A second father to our child,” Flynn said.

Roan bowed his head with respect. “I would be honored.”

Sasha walked up to Roan and licked his muzzle with affection and thanks. “I’m going to have to search the Pack high and low for this True Mate of yours. Got to make sure she’s worthy of you. My brother deserves the best.”

“When you find her, I’m sure she will be.” He chuckled, but the humor seemed strained. “In the meantime, I want you, Angel, and Mother safe. If one of my guards can get shot, then you three are definite targets.”

“And since Rhonda has always held a special animosity for me, I think shooting me would be a bonus,” Charlie added.

“A Lupus with a gun.” Gabe shook his head in disbelief. “What are we coming to?”

“Not us, Gabe. Two Lupa’s without honor that have nothing to lose,” Angel replied.

“Two rogue Lupa’s,” Robert said sadly.

“Two armed rogue Lupas,” Roan reiterated. “And will be dealt with as such.”

“Just be careful, whatever you do,” Sasha told them.

“Don’t worry, my dear. As long as we know you three are safe, we can concentrate on the job at hand,” Roan assured.

“And wait till we’re at the house before you three change back. If Jenna and Rhonda are already here, then the three of you look enough alike in the dark that neither of them will know which is which,” Flynn advised as they made ready to leave.

“Good idea,” Roan agreed. “And keep to the shadows as well. As for us, I want you two to scout the surrounding area. If anything smells out of order, tell Flynn,” he instructed Gabe and Robert.

“Flynn? What about you?” Gabe asked.

“I’m going to Jenna’s house. Maybe something there will give me a clue as to what she and Rhonda are plotting. I also want to know which direction they’re driving. Could help to know where they’re going if they aren’t already here.”

“Just be careful, Roan. I have four children, and I want to keep it that way,” Charlie warned.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be watchful,” Roan promised, going over and licking Charlie’s muzzle.

“Hmph. It’s not you I’m worried about.”

Angel and Robert kissed goodbye, wolf-style, and told each other to be careful. Sasha told Gabe to watch out for unexpected gunshots.

“Don’t worry. I have a True Mate waiting for me now. I won’t be taking any unnecessary risks.” He gave her a wolfish grin.

Then they were all off to their appointed destinations. Roan went east through the forest; Gabe and Robert split up to cover more ground to the west, Gabe toward the stables and Robert toward the outer pastures. The rest of them went to the house, staying to the shadows like Roan advised. Flynn didn’t change back either. He led them to the back door naked. Not that he had much choice. Apparently the Lupus couldn’t change forms with their clothes on. She had absently noticed a pile back in the clearing after their run.

Nothing happened along the way, nor did they smell or see anything out of the ordinary, thank goodness. The last thing she wanted was to get shot. Like she hadn’t enough on her plate as it was.

After they all went through the back door, Flynn led them to the den. It was a nice room. Mauve carpet and matching comfy furniture. Lots of plants and books. Sasha liked it. Had a warm, lived-in feel to it.

“Go ahead and change while I run upstairs for your clothes,” Flynn told them. “I’m also going to check all the locks on the doors and windows. After that, I’ll check on Mikeal and see how his shoulder is doing.” He reached down, gave Sasha a tender rub on the ear, and then was gone.

Turning toward Charlie and Angel, Sasha noted watching them change back was just as beautiful as Flynn’s change. There were differences though. Seemed everyone had their own color patterns when changing back, almost like an aura. Flynn’s was a greenish blue, like the ocean, Charlie’s a warm red with orange flashes, and Angel’s a vibrant blue and purple. Made Sasha wonder what hers was going to look like. Then a really serious question hit her.

“Uh, ladies, problem here. How do I change back?” Charlie and Angel stood before her, naked and on two legs.

She should have been embarrassed about seeing two women naked, her Southern upbringing again, but her thoughts were more on how to get two legged again herself.

Charlie and Angel looked at her with stunned amusement. She certainly didn’t find this amusing.

“Flynn never explained how to change back?” Angel asked with a grin.

“At the time, we were too busy trying to prepare me and trying not to think about if I would die. Then it started, and anything more was forgotten.” She felt kind of strange standing on all fours in the den while Charlie and Angel weren’t.

“Well, that’s understandable. You’ve had a very busy three days.” Charlie nodded. “But don’t worry—now that you’ve undergone your First Transformation, changing back and forth will be easy. Just focus on which form you want, four or two legs, then picture that in your mind and concentrate. You’ll feel a warm glow start in your center, then spread out as everything changes. No pain, just soothing warmth. After you’ve changed, you feel great, energized. But some also feel a bit sad because being on four legs means freedom. Going back to two legs makes some feel confined in a way.” She shrugged, trying to explain.

“Okay, so I focus on my two-legged form. No pain, just warm energy.” She closed her eyes to concentrate better.

At first, nothing happened. She was picturing in her mind what she looked like with two legs but didn’t feel any kind of warmth. It sort of scared her that nothing was happening, so she made her mental self walk with those two legs. That seemed to do the trick, because a pleasant warmth started in her stomach, expanding throughout her body. She even saw a bright white glow behind her closed eyelids. Way cool, she thought.

After she opened her eyes, she noticed two things. She was taller and she was naked. It had worked. Whew!

“That was quite a light show.” Angel smiled broadly.

“Light show?” she asked, wondering where Flynn was with those clothes.

From what she had learned so far, the Lupus didn’t view casual nudity the same as humans did. Especially the same as most Southerners did. Casual nudity to a southerner is like part of the seven deadly sins. Right up there with adultery, stealing, lying, and marrying Yankees. It was just not done. Which was why she felt a bit uncomfortable standing in front of others like that? Hard to change a lifetime of values in a few days. She was trying, though.

“Yeah. I was almost blinded by it,” Angel replied.

Sasha glanced at Charlie, who had a speculative look on her face.

“What? Something wrong?” She was starting to feel like a bug under the microscope.

“Only the most powerful Alphas can glow that brightly. And you have yet to gain the position.” Then she started to laugh. “Oh, my daughter, you are so what this Pack needs right now.”

“And in more ways than one, Granny,” Angel snickered, laughing along with her mother.

“Oh my goodness, yes!” She exclaimed. “A baby! It’s been so long since I’ve held a baby in my arms.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Sasha said, wanting to clear up a few things. “Just how long has it been since a child was born?”

She saw a great sadness pass between the two women.

“Before or after Dillon was born?” Charlie asked.

“Both.”

“Before, it had been close to eighty years since a child had been born.”

Sasha blinked in shock. Eighty years and not one child.

“And no children have been born since Dillon.” She sighed sadly. “A true miracle he was. Although considering what we just witnessed, well…”

Yes, Dillon would have to be born for Diona’s soul to be reborn. Quite confusing when one thought of all the ramifications of that. Sasha didn’t. She had more than enough to think about.

“So let me get this straight. In almost a hundred years, before and after Dillon, not one Mated couple has conceived.”

Both women nodded sadly.

“Wow.” She sat down abruptly.

“It’s the prophecy and our worst nightmares come to life,” Angel replied as both women also sat.

Nightmare was right. Having a child was the culmination of some couples’ love. Being denied that gift had to be devastating. But Sasha still needed to understand a few things. Like how is it that her being able to have children would give hope to the others. Flynn, fortunately, walked back in with their clothes just as she asked that question. He had on jeans and a t-shirt. Of course, naked was better. Later, she promised herself.

“Flynn, you could probably answer that better than us,” Charlie said as Flynn handed out their clothes.

Flynn looked Sasha up and down before she got dressed, a slow smile curving his lips. Oh yeah, later, she smiled in return. Another all-nighter. Whoohoo!

She put her clothes on before she could embarrass herself any further. Too late for Flynn, though. You really can’t hide a bulge like that.

“It’s a wonder she isn’t pregnant now.” Angel laughed. “Especially with looks like that.”

Sasha’s face flamed as she sat down again. Blushing sucks, she grumbled to herself.

“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. Robert still looks at me like that, and we’ve been together for sixty years,” Angel declared.

Sixty years and no child. Though probably not for lack of trying, if the secret smile she was wearing was any indication. Still, it had to be hard.

Flynn came over and kissed her then nuzzled her hair and whispered in her ear as he sat down beside her. “Mmm, I’ll have you naked again. Real soon.” Though not soon enough, to her way of thinking.

His hot breath blew in her ear, and she shivered. Oh yeah, soon, he thought as he gathered her into his arms.

“Sorry I wasn’t here to help with your changing back. But I see you made it through just fine.”

“Charlie and Angel helped.” She snuggled deeper into his embrace.

“We only pointed you in the right direction. The rest was all you,” Charlie replied.

“That’s right. You can’t make yourself glow that brightly. Only a true Alpha with power can do that. “.

“She has the Alpha glow?” Flynn asked.

“Bright enough to light up a city block.”

Flynn hugged her again. “That’s great, sweetheart.”

She shrugged, not really feeling like it was a big deal. Hell, to tell the truth, she didn’t feel that much different at all. Well, inside anyway. Mentally, hmm, time would tell.

“So, you want to know why you getting pregnant will give hope to the others. A valid and simple question. The explanation won’t be,” Flynn warned.

“That’s okay. Most of what I’ve experienced these last few days defies most explanations anyway.” Sasha chuckled.

“True.” He laughed softly. “All right, to start with, the Pack needs an Alpha male and female, just like our animal cousins. Though with us, all our couples breed, not just the Alpha pair, and of course, the two Alphas don’t always have to be Mated either. It happens more often than not. It’s really pretty rare for us to have an Alpha couple.” He shrugged. “And there is the difference in that if the Alpha female can’t breed, then neither can anyone else. It all comes down to power and fertility. The Alpha female’s power and fertility. The more powerful and fertile the female, the more children she and the other couples can have. But the two have to be in sync. If not, well, you know that part.”

“So I’ve basically brought new blood into the Pack.”

“You are going to be our female Alpha,” Angel began. “And as such, the rest of us get a, I guess you could say, a symbiotic experience from you. Your power, energy, fertility, all that makes you Alpha, reflects to us.”

“Okay, I think I understand.” The wheels were finally turning. “Because Charlie couldn’t have children anymore, the Pack couldn’t either.”

“That’s part of it.” Flynn nodded. “You see, Mother was a strong Alpha in her day, stronger than most. This is how she achieved the position. But her synchronization of power and fertility began to wane after Roan and I were born.”

“That’s why you said Dillon was a miracle. You didn’t think you’d be able to have any more children,” Sasha deduced.

“Yes,” Charlie said sadly. “It’s also why I stepped down. Then after my Mate was killed, well, I just didn’t have the heart for it. Then there was Dillon. He needed me more than the Pack.”

“So Jenna took the position, knowing that, or better yet, hoping she would be the one to fix everything. Only she was wrong again, and there haven’t been any children in all this time.”

“Correct.” Charlie nodded.

“Well, no pressure on me, huh?” Sasha snorted, reeling a bit at what was before her.

“Ah sweetheart, it’s not like that, I promise you.” Flynn hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. “All you have to do is be you—nothing more and nothing less.”

“You will have to meet the other Pack members, of course. But being Flynn’s True Mate, you’d have to meet them anyway,” Angel said with a shrug.

“It all still feels a bit overwhelming. Like I’m on this big rollercoaster ride that won’t stop, and I can’t get off without hurting myself,” Sasha whispered, staring into space.

It was true. From the moment she awoke from the coma, events had been hurtling out of her control. She could barely cope and get her bearings. She wasn’t going to break down and turn into a babbling idiot. Not her style. But she did need some time to deal with everything. Hell, even Wonder Woman needed her downtime.

“You’re not alone in this, Sasha. We’re all here to help,” Charlie told her with sincerity.

“I can only imagine how you must feel, but Mom’s right. All of us will help. That’s what family is for.” Angel winked at Sasha.

“And as your True Mate, I’ll be glad to help with any problem that might arise.” Flynn growled softly in her ear.

“Flynn! Your mom and sister are here!” She slapped at him playfully, surprised he would say something like that in front of them. Alone was a lot different.

“I think that’s our cue, Mom.” Angel laughed as she and Charlie rose from the couch.

Sasha blushed crimson. Ugh!

Charlie gave a knowing laugh as well; then the two left, saying their good-nights.

“Jeez,” she breathed after they were gone, totally embarrassed. “What your mom and sister must think.”

“Probably the same thing we’re thinking. That we want each other.” He smiled as he kissed her, their tongues dueling briefly.

She blushed a little after their steamy kiss.

“Don’t be embarrassed, sweetheart. The Lupus are very open about sex and mating.”

“I see that there’s a lot you don’t know about Southern women. What we say and do behind closed doors is considerably different in public and with family members.”

“Point taken.” Flynn nodded in understanding. “And until you get used to our ways, I’ll have Mother and Angel tone it down a bit.”

“Thanks.” Sasha suspected her idea of toned down and his were not the same.

Flynn laughed again. “They’re just happy. For me, for you, for the Pack. Especially Mother. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her truly happy.” His light eyes looked a little sad.

“Losing your father must have been quite a blow for her.”

Flynn nodded. “If it wasn’t for the fact that Dillon needed her, I’m afraid we might have lost her too.”

“Mmm.” Life had been hard for her family after her dad had died, but Charlie had to have suffered more for her loss. “You think she’ll ever find love again? Maybe even another Mate?”

“No.” He smiled sadly. “Even though they weren’t True Mates, they loved each other deeply. But there has been the occasional interested party these past few years.”

“That doesn’t bother you?”

“No. Mother is still a beautiful and vibrant woman. It wouldn’t upset me if she took a lover. Might help her to heal.”

“Wow. That is very open,” she said with surprise. “I can’t even think about my mom and sex.” She shuddered with distaste. “That would be too gross.”

Flynn chuckled. “Like I said, you’ll get used to our ways. In the meantime, how are you feeling?” He looked her over with desire in his glacier eyes.

“Hmm, I take it the doctor is in,” she purred, arousal hitting her hard. Not that it had really ever left her. Just thinking about Flynn made her wet and needy.

“Not yet, but he will be.” He growled, nuzzling her neck as he lowered her to the cushions.

“Well, doctor, I do have this ache.” She wrapped her arms around him.

“Tell Doctor Flynn where it is, and he’ll kiss it better.” He kissed her neck down to her chest.

“Remind me not to come to you with any aches,” Roan commented drily from the door.

Sasha yelped with fright. Flynn, the big lug, just laughed as she tried to get up.

“Don’t worry, only Sasha gets that special treatment.”

“That’s a relief.” Roan chuckled as he came into the room and sat down across from them.

He was dressed, thank goodness. Sasha, of course, was mortified. Her whole body felt like it was going up in flames. And even with her new senses, she had no idea Roan was back. She had been distracted, but still, she needed to keep alert. There were two loopy Lupas wanting blood. Hers.

“How long have you been back?” “Not long. Maybe ten, fifteen minutes.”

Time enough to put on some clothes and come to them.

“You find anything?” Flynn asked as he settled Sasha closer.

“Nothing about what they’re plotting. But I did find some clues about which direction they went.”

“Straight here.” Sasha sighed, knowing they would show up sooner or later.

“Yes. Though exactly where is a mystery.”

“Damn!” Flynn growled.

“I found their car, abandoned, over in the far pasture, but the trail went cold after only a few miles.”

“They on two or four feet?” Flynn asked.

“Both from what I could tell. But for how long is another mystery. They covered their tracks and scent pretty well. Even from me.” Roan sighed in disgust. “I covered almost every inch of ground, but found nothing.”

“So we wait for them to make the first move.” Sasha really didn’t like that plan.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Jenna has never been known for her patience.” Flynn snorted with derision.

“Or her intelligence,” Roan added. “Which is to our advantage.”

“And how is that?” She asked.

“She doesn’t know you’ve gone through the First Transformation,” he answered with a sly smile.

“You’re stronger now. You have better reflexes. Your instincts are sharper. All in all, a very formidable Alpha.”

“Problem. I don’t have a clue as to how to fight. I can defend myself, when it comes down to it, but not her kind of fighting,” she pointed out.

“You won’t have to.”

“What’s the plan?” Flynn asked, apparently knowing Roan would have come up with something before coming to them.

“Sasha will be our bait,” Roan replied with a calculating grin.

“ Not liking the plan.” Sasha shook her head.

“It’s the only way to get Jenna out in the open so we can deal with her,” Roan explained.

“Don’t forget her gun-toting mother. Rhonda might decide she needs practice and use me for a target.”

“I’ve already thought about that,” Roan assured her. “Once Jenna is in the open, Rhonda won’t be far behind. When she tries to help Jenna, and we know she will, then Gabe and Robert will take her out.”

“No offense, Roan, but I think trying to plan anything with Jenna in mind is a bit of a lost cause. Just look at our track record, past and present.” She didn’t want to shoot down his plan, but luck was not on their side.

“I’m aware this plan isn’t exactly the best, but it’s all we have to work with right now.” He rubbed his face tiredly with both hands. “Jenna and Rhonda are a rogue element the Pack hasn’t had to deal with in a long time. Their behavior isn’t based on age like some of our elder Pack members, but on greed and jealously. It’s a problem that is virtually nonexistent in our culture.”

“I’m sorry, Roan, with all you have to deal with. This must be the hardest, knowing two members of your Pack must be eliminated.”

“It’s never easy to lose a Pack member, under any circumstances, but the greater good of the Pack and our continuation come first. Anyone who jeopardizes that will be dealt with accordingly. As for Jenna, her end has been a long time coming. The Pack will be better off without her continued interference. Rhonda is a question at this point. Though to be honest, I think it best she follow her daughter on the way out.”

“I agree.” Flynn nodded in agreement. “She’s bound to cause more problems after Jenna is gone.”

Sitting around discussing and planning someone’s demise seemed strange. Sasha knew it was for the good of the Pack, her unborn daughter especially, but it still felt weird.

“All right, so how do you want to do this?” Flynn asked.

“Keep Sasha in plain sight, but well guarded. I don’t want any surprises,” Roan began to explain. “When both women make their move, we strike.”

“There are reinforcements on the way, correct?”

Roan nodded. “I’ve alerted the rest of my personal guard and informed several of our high ranking Pack families. They were set to come here anyway to meet Sasha at the end of the week. That time frame has been pushed forward because of Jenna. Those who can’t make it sooner are sending their best and strongest.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of Lupus for only two Lupa.” Sasha whistled in astonishment.

“They will only be here to meet you and help Flynn protect you. Not to interfere. And all are witnesses to Jenna and Rhonda’s crimes,” Roan explained.

So all these Lupus are coming here for a meet and greet and to help with protection. But what if some were female? It had to be known by now that Jenna was no longer Alpha. Some of the stronger females would undoubtedly have that position in the back of their minds when they got there, regardless if Jenna was caught. “About being Alpha. Don’t you have to prove to the Pack that you’re strong enough to get the position and keep it?”

“Yes,” Flynn answered, clearly not understanding.

“What is it you’re asking, Sasha?” Roan seemed to take pity on her.

“You’ve stripped Jenna of the Alpha position, which means there are going to be a few that will want their chance at it. Which means those who don’t know about me, about all that’s been going on, will want to fight the one you have appointed. Namely me.”

“Taking the Alpha position isn’t just about strength and the ability to fight, though that does help. It’s mostly about instinct and power. When I took over after my father died, there were several Lupus who wanted the Alpha position. But do you know how many challenged me?”

“How many?”

“Just one.” He held up his index finger.

“One?”

“After meeting Roan and sensing his power, most of the challengers conceded. They knew trying to defeat Roan would be a waste of time. And the one who did go through with the challenge, Mikeal by the way, lost easier than he ever imagined.” Flynn smiled.

She gasped. “Mikeal? The blond I saw tonight?”

“The same.”

“Mikeal is a very powerful Lupus in his own right. He just wasn’t powerful enough to defeat Roan. Or me.”

“You! Good Lord, why?”

“The Beta position,” Flynn answered. “He thought that if he couldn’t be Alpha, second in command would be good enough.”

“He miscalculated, of course.” Roan chuckled. “Being Alpha, I wear my power like a cloak. It’s there for all to see. Flynn is more subtle with his power. You don’t know he has it until it’s too late.”

She looked at Flynn, seeing him in a new light. Hmm, sexy, strong, and powerful. Momma always did say to watch out for the quiet ones. Now she saw why, she thought, as he bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment of her understanding. She bowed back, then looked at Roan.

“So Mikeal lost and is now one of your guards.”

“Head guard, actually. Because of his power and skills, I put him in charge. A decision neither of us has regretted.”

“Hmm, so because I have all this power and instinct, the others will sense it and not even bother to challenge me.”

“Correct.” Roan nodded.

She snorted in disbelief. “No offense, Roan, but I get the feeling that once the other Lupas get a look at me, they’ll be standing in line to try to kick my butt.”

Roan and Flynn looked at each other, and she could tell that a silent message was being sent between the two. One of those twin things, no doubt. Then Flynn smiled mysteriously and nodded.

“Sasha, I want you to go over to that bookcase and pick it up,” Roan said.

“Beg pardon?” She blinked at his ludicrous request.

“Go over to the bookcase and pick it up.” He spoke slowly as if she didn’t understand.

She looked at Flynn, seeking help. There was none. The traitor.

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Roan is trying to prove a point.” Flynn smiled as he waved her off.

She stood up. “Like what? That I can throw my back out and give myself a hernia at the same time?”

They both laughed at that. “No. You’ll get my point after you pick up the bookcase.”

Some people had to be shown for them to believe. Sasha was one of those people. She just hoped she didn’t bust something doing it.

“All right.”

They had to be out of their minds. There was no way she was going to pick up that bookcase. For one, it was nothing like the ones she had in her apartment. Those were Wal-Mart specials. This one was solid oak with eight shelves. And all the shelves were filled with books. Hardbacks. Ouch!

She looked back over at Flynn and Roan, both wearing secret smiles. She just shook her head but grabbed the front of the case with one hand and the back with the other.

“Okay, here goes.” She got a good grip with both hands, bent at the knees, and lifted.

The bookcase came a foot off the floor with barely a strained muscle. In fact, it hardly felt heavy at all. Wow! Move over, Xena.

She put the case back down, though a bit wobbly. When she turned around to face Flynn and Roan, they were grinning in a cat-got-the-canary kind of way.

“Do you understand now?” Roan asked. “You have strength and power, an Alpha asset in more ways than one.”

She went to sit next to Flynn again. “Yeah, I understand now. I guess I didn’t think I would be strong enough, able enough, to be what you define as Alpha.”

“Oh, sweetheart, a true Alpha is more than just power and strength, though that is part of it. True Alphas know when to use their abilities and when not to,” Flynn explained.

“Also, a true Alpha doesn’t flaunt her abilities. We don’t have to. It’s part of our nature, of who we are,” Roan added.

“So, because I’m a true Alpha, the other Lupa will sense my power and not bother to challenge me.” She repeated the theory, though she still had a niggling of doubt.

“Correct.” Roan nodded.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Once you meet the other Lupa, instinct will kick in, and you’ll fully understand the extent of being Alpha,” Flynn assured her even though he could probably sense she still had misgivings.

Roan stood up then and stretched. “Well, I have to make a few more calls, and then I’m off to bed. I’ll see you two in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night,” Flynn and Sasha said at the same time.

Finally they were alone again. Hmm, now what to do? Oh, I know, have my way with Flynn, she thought. So she pounced on him, knocking him back against the cushions.

“About that ache, doctor, I still have it.” She kissed his neck as she raised both his arms above his head. “In fact, it’s stronger now than it was before.” And it was. Talking with Roan and knowing how strong she was had made her hunger for Flynn near unbearable.

“Well, as your personal physician”—he growled as she licked behind his ear—”it’s my pleasure to see to your every need.”

She stood up, grabbing one of his hands and pulling. “Good. Let’s go to the bedroom before anyone else interrupts, so I can have my way with you.”

“Excellent plan.” He laughed, and they raced to his room as quietly as they could.

Once there, Flynn locked the door behind them. He didn’t bother turning on lights. Lupus had excellent night vision. Sasha could see clearly with what little light filtered into the room from the windows. And what she saw was breathtaking. Flynn was such a gorgeous man, inside and out. And he was all hers.

“I’m not sure I should rejoice about that smile you have or be wary.” He chuckled, the erection in his pants belying his words.

“Be both, because I have big plans concerning this delicious body of yours.” She slowly walked toward him and began taking his clothes off. His t-shirt went first.

“Delicious, huh?” He groaned as she ran her hands over his naked chest, then licked a nipple.

“Mmm-hmm. And I’m hungry.” Her hands made their way to his waistband.

“Then by all means, feast,” he replied, arms akimbo, eyes glowing blue, like the heart of a flame, with need.

He knew what she wanted and was more than willing to let her take it.

She looked up into his burning eyes. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For letting me be, well, me.”

He laughed softly, taking her face in his warm hands. “Darlin’, you’re an Alpha, and Alphas have a drive to be dominant. And even though I’m second to Roan, I too have a dominant side. But it doesn’t matter which of us starts this, just as long as we finish together.” Then he kissed her softly and took his hands away, raising them like before. “Now, where were you?”

She smiled at his enthusiastic response, feeling such love for this man that she could hardly contain herself. So she showed him instead, sliding her hands down his chest and stomach and into his jeans, wrapping them around his hard cock.

“Right here,” she said and squeezed.

“God, yes.” He threw back his head.

She kept up a steady rhythm with her hands, but his jeans were too confining for what she really wanted to do. So she got rid of them, then went back to what she was doing. Touching, foundling, stroking. She wanted to take her time with his body, learn it, feel it, and explore it to her heart’s content. After all, they had time.

He was so warm and hard in her hands, so soft. Sasha could feel the veins throbbing and pulsing as she gently squeezed him. Mmm, to feel that throb and pulse on her tongue. She kissed his neck and worked her way down until she was on her knees, Flynn’s hard cock at eye level. She flicked her tongue out to lick the tip of him and heard him gasp. That made her smile because she knew he was going to like this. Then without warning, she took all of him into her mouth.

“Sasha!” She felt his legs shaking.

She suckled him hard, rolling her tongue around, and felt the tip of him hit the back of her throat as he started to slowly thrust into her mouth. Her tongue laved and licked all of him, tasting the tiny drops of precum as he became more and more aroused. She could actually feel the veins in his cock throb to the beat of his heart with her tongue and lips. Even his sac throbbed in her hand as she rolled it around with her fingers.

“More?” she asked, giving them a breather but still stroking him.

“Any…” He swallowed audibly. “Any more, and the night might end all too soon.” He ran shaking fingers through her hair.

“Well, now, we wouldn’t want that. I’m not done yet.” She gave his cock one last lick and got up. “Go lie on the bed. I’m wearing too many clothes and need to get rid of them.”

He gathered her close, nuzzling her neck, then kissed her senseless, their tongues dueling.

“Mmm, I said I’d get you naked again.” He smiled as he broke the kiss.

She breathed deeply, getting her senses back. “You’re going to get a lot more than just me naked.” She told him, running her hands over his chest, pinching a nipple. His cock responded by bumping her in the stomach.

“I’m counting on it, darlin’.” He growled, giving her one last kiss before he went to lie on the bed.

He crawled to the center and lay on his back, eyes glowing brighter, his hard cock jutting up like a mast.

She stood there for a minute letting her eyes feast on Flynn’s nude body. Scanned every plane and peak from his head to his toes, finally resting on the object of her delight. A cock gone even harder with her perusal.

“Like what you see?” he asked huskily, running his fingers up and down his cock.

“Oh yes.”

It was the most erotic thing she had ever seen. Watching Flynn stroke himself. And she knew her eyes were glowing. Hell, her entire body was probably glowing. Her panties were so wet, they were soaking through to her jeans.

Time to get naked and take what she wanted. Flynn.

She started with her top, slowly unbuttoning it one button at a time, letting it fall to the floor. She reached around and undid the fasteners of her bra, letting the straps fall naturally. She didn’t take it off immediately, but cupped her breasts and squeezed them, her head falling back with pleasure. She heard Flynn groan from the bed. She looked back at him, letting the bra fall to the floor with her top. She cupped her breasts again, feeling their weight, now swollen with arousal, the nipples sensitive, so she pinched them, sending a jolt of need straight to her core. Her pants had to come off now; they were too tight next to her nether lips. But like her top, she went slow, drawing it out, building the anticipation for them both. From the carnal look on Flynn’s face and the impressive erection he was sporting, she’d say her striptease was a winner.

Following her breastbone down to her pants, she slowly undid the button and zipper, reaching a hand inside to give herself a little rub. She was so wet that when she pulled her hand out, her fingers had drops of juice clinging to them. The musky smell of her arousal was strong as she rubbed the wetness with her fingers. Her glowing eyes never left Flynn’s through all this, who was, at this time, now sitting up with a look that bordered on pain.

“That looks agonizing.” She grinned, looking at his cock as she slowly shimmied out of her jeans and panties.

“You have no idea.”

“Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?” She moved toward him, all the time touching herself.

“Sweetheart, you can do anything you want,” he replied, grabbing her about the waist when she reached him. “Just as long as I get to return the favor.”

“Absolutely.” She moaned as he started suckling on her nipple. “Turnabout is fair play, after all.”

“Indeed.” He chuckled, letting her nipple go with a pop.

“Now.” She pushed him back on the bed. “Show me where it hurts.”

He grabbed his cock. “Right here.”

“Hmm, that’s some swelling you have there.” She climbed on the bed beside him. “I’ll need to give it a closer examination.”

She wrapped her fingers around the swollen length of him, squeezing lightly as she moved her hand up and down. Then she bent over and flicked her tongue on the tip of him.

“Ahh,” he moaned, arching his back.

Seeing him like that nearly snapped what little control she had left. “I’m going to have to relieve some of this pressure.” She straddled him, her opening directly over his cock.

“Relief sounds good.” He nodded vigorously.

“But first, you need a thorough exam.”

He groaned at that. “Any more examining, and I’ll explode.”

She lay fully on top of him, kissing and licking all the skin she could reach. Flynn’s hips moved up, running his cock through her folds, soaking them both.

“Mmm, so good.” She leaned down and kissed him.

Flynn grabbed her about the waist as their tongues danced and dueled. His hips kept pumping and moving his swollen shaft through her drenched folds, creating a wondrous friction against her clit. But she wanted more. She wanted Flynn inside her, filling, stretching her.

Breaking the kiss, she took Flynn’s hands and placed them over his head. She didn’t hold them there; he knew what she wanted.. She slowly moved her hands down his torso, gently raking her nails here and there, pinching a nipple and licking it. When she reached down to grab his cock, she sat up a little and rubbed it through her folds one last time, pausing it at her opening. Sitting down just enough to get the head in, she moved her hand away. Flynn groaned at this but otherwise remained still. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on his body, and he trembled slightly, trying to keep in control and let her take the lead. His face showed that tight rein he had on his control. For some odd reason, that made her want to be more dominant, to push him to the absolute end of his control. So she moved down his shaft slowly, dragging out the sensations. When she finally had all of him in her, they moaned in unison, but she didn’t move any further.

“I can feel your heartbeat throbbing inside me.” Her voice was husky as she kissed his chest, still not moving up or down.

“Sasha, please,” he moaned, hands clasped tightly above his head, tendons in his neck standing out as he arched his head back.

She smiled, suckling on a nipple and moving up his shaft a bit, then down. She repeated this process, slowly moving up farther each time. By the time she reached the head and stopped, they were both panting. But she didn’t move down again. Instead she rotated her hips in a circle with the tip of him still inside her.

Flynn growled with need, his body now shaking with it. She trembled as well, trying to keep it together enough to do what she wanted. But her body had other ideas. It was crying out with unfulfilled need. No longer concerned with domination, Sasha felt every cell in her body vibrate with the need to finish this and bring them both to satisfying completion.

She guessed it was true that the dominator could become the dominated.

Without waiting for Flynn to catch his breath, she slammed down on him and started pumping her hips frantically.

“Flynn, please touch me,” she begged, now out of control.

That was all the encouragement he needed. With a growl, he rose, grabbed her about the waist, and switched their positions. He never came out of her. And once he had her on her back, his hips, hands, and lips didn’t stop either. She had pushed him over the edge, and she was reaping the benefits. But it was what she wanted. To have the best of both worlds. To dominate and be dominated. To be Alpha and subordinate. Oh yes, this was what she wanted.

Flynn was in a red haze of sexual need bordering on feral. His need to have her, to take her, and make her come was the only thing that he wanted right then. And he would accomplish that goal if it took him all night.

She wrapped her legs around his middle, a signal that she wanted him to go deeper. He did. And at a pace that left them both nearly breathless. He came out just enough to slam back into her. The sound of his body slapping against hers, his growling, grunting, and finally taking a nipple into his warm mouth, was what sent her screaming into orgasm. She raked her nails down his back as she took her pleasure.

“Ahhh!” Flynn roared, following her as he held her hips for his final thrusts.

They were both breathing hard and sweating as the final vibrations subsided. Flynn lay gently on her, resting his head next to hers on the pillow. His body was still jerking a bit.

“Jesus.” He breathed, then rose up to look at her. “Are you all right?” He brushed her sweat-drenched hair back.

“I am now.”

“I didn’t mean to get so carried away. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

He pulled out to look her over. She protested a bit at that. It did feel better when he was inside her.

“I’m all right Flynn. In fact, I feel great.” She sighed, stretching like a well-fed cat.

His eyes followed her movements, then zeroed in on her hips. She had bright red marks the exact shape and size of his fingers.

“Jeez, I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ve never been that out of control before.” He raked both hands through his hair. “Ever.”

“Flynn, you have no reason to apologize.”

“But I do!” he exclaimed. “I…” He dropped his head back and exhaled loudly.

“What’s wrong?” Her look was filled with concern.

“I really don’t know how to tell you.” And he wasn’t sure he should. With all she had learned tonight, he didn’t want to add more. But this couldn’t be helped.

That seemed to catch her by surprise. There really wasn’t much that Flynn, or even the others, couldn’t and didn’t tell her. But this, well, it wasn’t easy no matter how open he had been with everything else.

“Okay. Is it good or bad in nature?”

“Well, it isn’t good,” he hedged.

“All right, then just tell me and let me be the judge.”

He drew a deep breath. “Sometimes, the males of our race can turn feral during the mating act.”

She blinked, her expression saying she wasn’t sure what that meant. “Explain, please?”

“Turning feral is when the animal side takes over, driving all rational thought out and operating on pure instinct.” This was how he felt only a moment ago.

“Okay, now what does that have to do with us?”

He paused with indecision. To tell or not to tell. Tell. He owed her that much as his True Mate. “Some Lupus have been known to seriously injure their Mates while like that. Others have done even worse.” He hung his head.

“What do you mean worse?”

“Some have actually killed their Mates, experiencing a mating frenzy.”

“A mating frenzy?” she repeated.

“It’s not something that’s openly discussed. In fact, it’s one of the few parts of our nature that we find shameful and abhorrent.”

“I can see why.” She nodded with wide eyes.

“There’s not much in this world I fear, but just the idea of turning feral while making love to you makes my blood run cold.” He gathered her close, praying fervently that it never happened, no matter how crazed with lust she made him.

“You could never hurt me, Flynn,” she told him with firm belief.

“But…” he started to say.

“No, listen to me.” She made him look her in the eyes. “I pushed you over the edge tonight. I gloried in it, and yes, you were rough, but that’s all.”

“I marked you.”

“And I marked you, so we’re even.” She pointed to his back and neck.

In surprise, he reached around and felt the small scratches, then felt the bite mark on his neck. He could even feel a little wetness from a couple of the scratches and knew the bite mark would leave a dark bruise. It was a bit of a thrill to know his True Mate could give as well as she got.

“So you see, even after being pushed past your limit, you didn’t turn feral.” She smiled playfully. “Just carried away.”

“You just keep surprising me.” He grinned, shaking his head ruefully.

“Wouldn’t want to bore you.”

He gathered her close and hugged her tight. “Never that, love, never that.”

She returned the hug, letting out a deep sigh as they sat there enjoying each other.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I could use a shower.” Sasha threw back the covers.

“And after that workout you just put me through, I could use some food.”

“Food sounds great.”

“Good.” He headed for the door. “I’ll gather our supplies, and you go shower.”

“Uh, Flynn.” She stopped him before he got out the door.

“Yes?”

“You going to the kitchen like that?”

He laughed. “Don’t worry, everyone is asleep. Besides, it won’t be the first time I’ve raided the kitchen in the buff.” He winked and left.

She shook her head. The Lupus and their casual nudity.

Bounding out of bed, she went to bathroom and started the water. When she saw steam rising from the stall, she adjusted the temp and stepped in.

“Ah, that feels great,” she sighed.

After her transformation and a bout of marathon sex, she really needed this, though she didn’t feel tired or drained. In fact, she felt rather energized. Like she had just woken up from a long restful sleep.

Maybe she should talk to Flynn about that. He wasn’t the Pack’s main doctor for nothing. After all she had been through that day, she should be dead on her feet. But then again, her energy level could be the byproduct of her transformation. There was an eight-hundred-year-old Lupus virus floating around in her veins.

That settled, she relaxed farther under the hot spray, letting her mind and body be soothed by the cascading water. It felt great to be by herself for a few minutes. What with all that’d been happening to her for the past several days, she needed this alone time. And Lord knew she’d had none since all this began. But now that she was able to think without an audience, her new life seemed more natural to her than her old one. Like she belonged here and always had. She didn’t think she could go back to her old life, not that she would want to. But truth be told, for as long as she could remember, she’d never fit in anywhere. Even in her own family. It was like she was disconnected somehow from everything and everyone around her. And now she felt like everything fit. Like she was home.

But Jenna was still out there, plotting and planning. She was the only problem. The one fly in the ointment of her new life. And contrary to what Roan thought, it would eventually come down to the two of them. She felt as certain of it as knowing the sun would rise and set. She just wished she knew when and what the outcome would be.

Finishing her wash, she rinsed off and then cut the water. She heard the bathroom door open as she was about to step out the shower stall.

“Back with the food so soon?” she asked, opening the glass door and stepping out.

Unfortunately the scent of the person in the room was all wrong.

“I didn’t bring food. But I did bring this,” said the strange woman with a very large handgun pointed directly at Sasha’s head.

Flynn couldn’t believe he would ever be this happy, he thought as he quietly made his way to the kitchen. Nor could he believe he had finally found his True Mate. But he had, and she was real. All those lonely years of wanting someone to share his life with were over. And Sasha was perfect for him with her easy acceptance and quick wit, her humor and boundless love. She was everything he had ever wanted in a Mate and more. Then there was her delectable body. He smiled as he opened the fridge. His cock got hard as he thought about the ways he wanted to worship all those curves. And worship he would. He would bring her to screaming completion and then start all over again.

With a plan for the rest of the night in mind and a huge grin on his face, Flynn got out meat, cheese, and a few other things for an impromptu picnic. But it was as he was going to the breadbox that he smelled something odd. Or rather someone.

“Rhonda.” He growled, going to the back door to find it slightly ajar.

Her scent was strong. And there was something else as well. Gun oil.

Flynn looked up at the ceiling, one thought in mind. “Sasha.”

He raced through the house but stopped at the foot of the stairs. Barging in on Rhonda would be dangerous. She had a gun and wasn’t afraid to use it. If he spooked her, then Sasha was sure to get shot. Then there was Jenna. She was certain to be lurking around somewhere. No, he needed backup if he was to save his Mate. And he needed to go about it quietly and quickly. The element of surprise was the only weapon he had at his disposal, and he needed to use it wisely.

With that thought in mind, Flynn crept to Roan’s room, knowing between the two of them, they could save Sasha and eliminate any who threatened her.

The woman was taller than Sasha, slender, with ash blond hair and the coldest blue eyes Sasha had ever seen. Jenna bore a striking resemblance. These two looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. Oh, and of course the woman had to be naked. Must have changed before arriving here, Sasha thought. Though how she managed that feat was a question Sasha was going to get an answer to.

“Rhonda, is it?” Sasha already knew who she was but wanted to appear ignorant. Wouldn’t do to tip her hand this early in the game.

“You know my name?” she asked suspiciously.

“Jenna looks a lot like you.” Sasha shrugged casually.

Oddly, she didn’t fear this woman. Even though Rhonda had an impressive weapon aimed at her, she wasn’t scared at all. She was worried about Flynn, though. If Rhonda was here, then where was Flynn? And where was Jenna?

“Lupus genetics at its best.” Rhonda snickered. “Though with the smell of sex on the air, I’d say you know all about that. At least the basics.” She laughed at her own joke.

“What do you want, Rhonda?”

That brought her up short. Sasha guessed that Rhonda didn’t think she would want her to get to the point so quickly. Hmm, that could work to her advantage. Keep Rhonda off guard enough to get close and relieve her of that gun. Tricky at best, but the only plan Sasha had.

Rhonda recovered and looked hard at Sasha. “What do I want? Why, you and this entire family dead so my Jenna can rule the Pack like she was always meant to.”

Yep, she was nuts.

“Jenna, rule?” Sasha snorted. “Do you honestly think after all she has done, and you for that matter, the entire Pack will let you both live, let alone allow Jenna to rule?” She laughed outright at that. “I think not.”

Rhonda’s blue eyes started to glow. Sasha could feel the anger and resentment there. She was powerful—Sasha would give her that—but she wasn’t an Alpha. Sasha was, and there was absolutely no way she was going to let this crazed bitch hurt her family.

“All of this wouldn’t have been necessary if you hadn’t come along,” Rhonda spat. “Jenna just needed more time with Flynn, more time to win him over. Then they would have been Mated, and my Jenna would be second in command.”

Crazy and delusional, what a combo.

She cocked the gun and pointed it at Sasha’s head. “But you ruined everything, and now all of you have to die.” She gave an evil grin. “Only you will be the first to go. Flynn, of course, will go slowly after you. That’s what happens, you know, when a True Mate dies. The other feels their Mate slipping away, can even feel it when their heart stops. But he won’t follow you immediately, oh no. Once you’re dead and the bond is broken, he’ll be crazed at first, out of his head with grief. His system will shut down, one organ at a time, until his heart stops beating.”

Sasha wanted to throw up. It also made her mad. Totally pissed that this lunatic could delight in their demise.

“But don’t worry about the others. We’ll make sure they go quickly. A couple of shots to the base of the head to sever the spine should do the trick.” She spoke casually, like it was not a problem.

That was what finally made Sasha snap. Her blood was already boiling about Flynn, but hearing Rhonda talk so casually about killing her new family in cold blood pushed her over the edge.

“Do anything to harm me or mine, and I’ll make you sorry to be alive.” Sasha growled.

She could feel power flooding her system, anger and the need to protect her family from this threat fueling it. She could see her eyes in the far mirror glowing so brightly with blue-green flames that the room was lit up. She could also see the first sign of fear and a dawning realization come into Rhonda’s eyes.

The gun wavered in her hand, almost like she was shaking but tried to control it. “But you… you couldn’t have…” she stammered.

Sasha slowly walked toward Rhonda, her power surrounding her like a shield. “I could and have.”

When Sasha reached her, Rhonda was shaking so badly from shock she could hardly keep hold of the gun. Surprise was a wonderful tool when used at the right time.

“How?” She whispered with fear. “You weren’t supposed to survive the First Transformation.”

Sasha took the gun easily out of her hand. “I have a lot to live for. I’m also an Alpha. I’m told that makes a great difference.”

Rhonda gasped in disbelief, shaking her head. “No, no, you can’t be. Jenna is Alpha. She’s…”

Sasha never let her finish, just tossed the gun in the nearby sink, then grabbed Rhonda around the throat and slammed her into the nearest wall. Just like Sasha did to the woman’s daughter.

“I am Alpha of this Pack, make no mistake,” Sasha snarled, squeezing Rhonda’s throat to get her point across. “Now where is Jenna?”

Rhonda tried to shake her head no, that she wasn’t going to tell Sasha. But Sasha had had enough of all this crap being heaped on her shoulders. And she had to admit that all her anger at not having a choice, of being put in this position in the first place, kind of fueled her fury as well.

“I’ll ask you again, where is Jenna?” She growled.

Rhonda tried to break free, squirming and moving. So Sasha helped her by throwing her across the room and into the shower stall. She knew the sound of glass shattering probably woke everyone, but she really didn’t care. She wanted Jenna, and Rhonda was going to tell her, or she was going to regret it.

Sasha heard everyone before she saw them, Flynn in the lead. Rhonda was trying to pick herself up out of the broken stall, shards of glass all around her. She was pretty cut up and bleeding, but that wasn’t about to stop Sasha. She had been pushed past her limit. Way past.

“Jesus!” Flynn exclaimed, seeing the destruction and Rhonda’s bleeding form.

Sasha was standing in the middle of the room, her power and anger whipping around her, waiting for Rhonda to get up. They weren’t done yet. Not by any means.

“Oh my God!” Charlie gasped when she too saw what was happening.

The last thing Sasha needed was an audience. “I want everyone but Flynn and Roan to leave the room,” she growled with her back turned to them. When she didn’t hear feet moving, she turned and let them know she meant business. “Now!” she roared, and they all left. Rather quickly.

That definitely made an impact. Of course, the glowing eyes and power-fueled anger helped.

“What’s going on, Sasha?” Roan’s voice was even as he remained a safe distance from them.

“Rhonda broke into the house and threatened to kill everyone in their beds,” she explained, seeing Rhonda get unsteadily to her feet, blood pouring from a gash on her forehead. “But not before she killed me first so she and Jenna could watch Flynn”—she paused for a second, seeing red and making a move toward Rhonda—”die slowly.”

“Sweetheart, I’m all right,” Flynn assured in a soothing voice. “I was on my way back when I smelled trouble, though I didn’t think Rhonda would be this bold.”

Sasha nodded but kept her eyes on Rhonda, who was swaying slightly.

“Yes, so it begs the question, how did she get in here?” Roan’s voice sounded curious.

“I was trying to find out when she got stupid and clammed up.”

“Ah, the crash I heard,” Roan surmised with pride in his voice.

“I won’t tell any…of you anything,” Rhonda snarled. She was trembling visibly with pain and not a little fear.

“You got part of that right,” Flynn growled, his tone angry.

“What do you mean?” Rhonda looked apprehensive with the question. As well she should be.

“Well, even though Roan is your Alpha, you didn’t attack him. You attacked Sasha. And you, of all Lupa, know the consequences of attacking a female Alpha.”

“I didn’t attack you for the Alpha position.” She looked at Sasha with fear.

“No, you attacked for the sake of your daughter, who should be the one with enough guts to do the job herself and not let her mommy do it for her,” Sasha sneered.

“Exactly,” Roan agreed. “So, you see, Rhonda, you have two choices. Submit or die.”

She laughed, coughing up blood. “Don’t give me that shit, Roan. I know I’m dead, so why should I tell you anything?”

Sasha stepped up to her, minding the broken glass, and looked her dead in the eye. “Because if you don’t, I’ll make you wish for death long before you have it.”

She meant every word she told Rhonda. She wasn’t a violent person. She had only been in one fight in her entire life, but she wasn’t that same person anymore. She wasn’t Sasha Edwards, mild-mannered Southern girl, the pushover her family continued to use and abuse and working a dead-end job she hated. Oh, no. She was Sasha LeGuer, True Mate to Flynn LeGuer, and Alpha, and she was going to protect her Pack and her True Mate at all costs. Rhonda apparently believed Sasha, because her eyes widened with shock, the smell of her fear a palpable thing in the room before her shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Where is Jenna, and how did you get into the house?” Sasha asked again with steely authority.

Rhonda took a deep, rattling breath. “There’s a tunnel, probably part of an old mine, which leads under the house to the main barn. Jenna was to wait forty minutes, then follow. After everyone was dead, we were going to set the place on fire and burn the evidence.”

“You were going to do her dirty work so she could reap the benefits?” Sasha roared, grabbing Rhonda by the throat again.

“Sasha!” Flynn shouted.

“No, Flynn, this is what she was meant to do, who she was meant to be. Let her finish it,” Roan said.

Sasha didn’t turn to see Flynn’s response, but felt that he eventually agreed with Roan. Though reluctantly.

“She’s my daughter,” Rhonda choked out, like that was good enough to justify murder.

“Your daughter won’t live long enough to enjoy her plan,” Sasha promised. “And you won’t either if you don’t leave now. As of this moment, you are banished from the Pack. If you return, you will be dealt with accordingly. Understood?” She then threw the sorry excuse for a Lupa to the floor in disgust.

“But, you can’t. The Pack is my home!”

“You gave up your right to be a part of this Pack when you helped your daughter and attempted to murder my family and True Mate in cold blood. You don’t deserve to be a Pack member or even a Lupa, for that matter.” Sasha glared. “You have until dawn.”

Sasha had barely turned to go to Flynn when she heard a growl of rage behind her.

“No!” Flynn and Roan shouted at the same time, seeing Rhonda leap at Sasha with a piece of glass in her hand, aimed at Sasha’s back. But Sasha was already in motion, catching Rhonda’s hand with the glass in it and wrapping her fingers around Rhonda’s throat again.

“I won’t leave my family. I won’t leave my Pack,” Rhonda snarled, struggling to stab Sasha with the glass.

Squeezing the hand with the glass in it tighter to prevent getting stabbed, Sasha looked into Rhonda’s mad eyes and saw that the woman would never stop, would never back down. She would choose death over banishment.

“So be it.” Then snapped Rhonda’s neck like a twig and let her lifeless body slump to the floor.

Sasha wasn’t sure what she felt right then; she was pretty much numb. Later, when all the excitement died down, she’d let her mind go back over these moments. She doubted she’d feel remorse for killing Rhonda. I. The woman had been a threat.

Flynn came up behind her, but he didn’t touch her. “Sweetheart, you okay?”

She could feel his worry about how she was going to handle her first kill. Could feel his sympathy that she had to do it at all, and his guilt because she had already been through so much. But overall, she felt his love. His unwavering love and acceptance. She didn’t think she could have loved him more in that moment than if she had spent a lifetime with him.

She turned around and faced him. Rhonda’s blood was on her hands, literally and figuratively. “I’m fine Flynn, really.” Her anger and glowing eyes were gone now that Rhonda was no longer a threat.

“I’m so sorry for this.” His light eyes showed the depths of his sorrow.

“Don’t be. This wasn’t your fault.”

“You know what I mean, Sasha.”

“I know, but don’t mourn what I’ve lost. Rejoice in what I’ve gained.”

“And what is that?” he asked, clearly wondering what she meant.

“Everything.”

“Everything?” A ghost of a smile showed on his handsome face.

“Yes. This is who I was meant to be, Flynn. What I was supposed to be. Where I was meant to be—with you and my family. It may have taken several lifetimes and being born human to get it right, but I’m where I belong now, and I won’t let anyone take that from me. Never again.”

“I love you.” He then gathered her in his arms, holding her like he never wanted to let her go. She didn’t want him to let go. She wanted him to hold her forever.

“I love you too.” Her arms wrapped tight around his waist as she snuggled close, his scent and warmth surrounding her in a comforting cocoon. Then suddenly Sasha smelled a familiar scent and stiffened in Flynn’s arms. “Jenna,” she growled.

Both turned to watch her saunter into the room. She was, of course, naked like the rest of them, probably because she changed somewhere along the line. She was also a little dirty and had a wild look about her. Especially the eyes, like she had finally gone over the edge. Oh, and the big gun she had aimed at them sort of helped bring that point home. It probably explained how she got past the others as well. A Lupus could heal a lot of wounds. A bullet in the brain was not one of them.

“Well, well, isn’t this sweet? The True Mates are playing kissy face,” she sneered and then roared with rage. “And over my mother’s dead body!”

Roan made a small move, like he was about to pounce, but thought better of it. Jenna caught the movement and pointed her gun at him.

“Oh, I don’t think so, Mr. High and Mighty. You might be Alpha, but a bullet to the brain can kill you like any of the others.” She grinned, waving him back with the gun. Roan didn’t move an inch.

“You were warned, Jenna, of what would happen should you test me.” His power started filling the room.

Sasha could feel the strength of it as his anger fueled it. Could see his eyes glow almost pure white with the intensity of it. And he was powerful, nothing like what she imagined or felt earlier in the clearing. His type of power was something else, something raw, almost primal. Woe be to the one who would feel the full force of that power. But it wasn’t going to be Jenna. This was between them, always had been.

“None of that, Roan.” Jenna cocked the gun. “We all know the reason I’m here and why.”

Sasha looked at Flynn, then at Roan, feeling his power recede a bit. Then she looked at Jenna. “Yes, we know.” She stepped out of Flynn’s embrace.

“Sasha.” Flynn reached for her, his eyes begging her not to do this.

“No, Flynn, this has to end. The cycle must be stopped.”

“She’s right, brother,” Roan agreed with a deep sigh. “And as much as I would like to be the one to do it, I can’t. This is between them and always has been.” He merely said what Sasha had been thinking earlier. Maybe great minds really did think alike. Well, at least Alpha minds.

Flynn shook his head, knowing they were right but still clearly not liking it. “Just be careful, huh?”

“Don’t worry, Flynn; I’ll make sure she goes fast and painless.” Jenna pretended mock compassion, pointing the gun at Sasha.

Flynn growled at her, his fingers flexing like he wanted to rip the crazy bitch’s head off. Sasha couldn’t blame him in the least. She had felt like doing it herself from the first moment she met the woman.

Sasha chuckled. “Still hiding like a coward, I see.” She brought some of Tala’s memories forward to help her. What good was reincarnation if she couldn’t use it? “You never could do your own dirty work and get your hands messy, could you?”

“I’m not a coward,” Jenna growled and pointed the gun straight between Sasha’s eyes.

“Really?” Sasha countered sarcastically. “Then why the gun?” She nodded to the weapon in Jenna’s hand. “A true Lupa doesn’t need a gun. A true Lupa uses power and strength and instinct to overcome an enemy.”

Jenna’s face contorted with rage; her body and the hand holding the gun shook with it. Sasha could feel Jenna’s power flood the room as she snarled her denial. “I am a true Lupa! I was born Lupa, born to lead this Pack. You’re nothing, nothing!” She spat at Sasha.

“Then prove it,” Sasha challenged. “Prove to everyone here what you are. What you can do. If I’m nothing, then beating me won’t be much of a problem for you, will it?”

Sasha could see the indecision in Jenna’s wild, glowing eyes. Could see the need to give in to her primal side and fight, warring with her desire to just shoot Sasha and get it over with. But she was betting that Jenna would take the bait. She might be the reincarnation of Neena, but she was still Jenna, still had Jenna’s need to prove that she was the best. And a true Lupa didn’t turn down a challenge, not when she thought she could win. For Jenna, that was especially true.

Sasha knew the moment the thought came into Jenna’s head, because she smiled. Smiled with such overconfidence and malice that Sasha almost tipped her hand just to show Jenna otherwise. Luckily, she didn’t. Jenna needed to be gun free before Sasha let her know just who she was dealing with. And besides, the surprise would be to Sasha’s advantage. Jenna was expecting a weak, non-transformed Lupa. Boy, was she in for the shock of her miserable life.

“You’ll fight me? No interference from the others?” Her eyes were narrowed, as if she couldn’t believe her good fortune.

Sasha nodded. “Just you and me, the way it was always meant to be,” she promised, motioning Flynn and Roan behind her to the far corner. The bathroom wasn’t exactly the right place for a knockdown drag-out, but it was big enough for what she needed to do. Ensure the Pack’s survival. And hers.

Jenna grinned evilly, then laid the gun on the counter and moved slowly away from it.

“The Pack is mine, always has been mine. You’ve never been the one, never,” she taunted Sasha as they started to circle each other.

As a baiting tactic, it was weak, but Sasha didn’t let her know that. Now that they had started this, Sasha needed to make sure that Jenna couldn’t get to her gun again, or the one Sasha had thrown in the sink. She glanced briefly at Flynn and Roan, giving Jenna the impression she was making sure they were out of the way, then gave them an imperceptible nod to the guns. She knew they understood as they made to move like they were giving them more room to maneuver. Jenna didn’t notice; she was too busy running her mouth. Predictable, as always.

“You’re weak. You’ve never been able to defeat me,” Jenna sneered, crouching low as they continued to circle each other. “I’ll always win, Tala, no matter what you try.”

The fact that Jenna called her Tala threw her a bit, but it also let Sasha know just how far gone Jenna was by this point. It also seemed fitting, in an odd way. This was the final battle between them. She and Jenna, Tala and Neena. Yeah, it fit.

“Don’t be too overconfident, Neena. Using deception to defeat me all those times has come to an end,” Sasha countered, playing her game. “We’ll settle this the way it should have been settled long ago. Just us, no one else.”

That pissed Jenna off, because she snarled at Sasha, making like she was going to swipe her with her hand. Good. The angrier she was, the more off balance she would be.

“You will die by my hand, bitch, and Nikos along with you.” She spat the words at Sasha. “Too bad, too. He was such an excellent fuck.” Jenna grinned maliciously, her eyes glowing like flames of hatred.

Calm. Be calm until they have the guns; then all bets are off, and you can stomp her ass. Sasha repeated that mantra in her head, just waiting for the right moment.

“But you already know that, don’t you?” Jenna threw an arm out to try to hit Sasha again, who easily deflected the attack. “I can smell him on you. His sweat, his seed.” She sniffed the air around Sasha, her lip curled in distaste.

“Yes, we’re Mated now. Have been for a couple days. But like I told you before, that’s none of your business.”

That really got to Jenna, because she rushed Sasha and tried to grab her. Sasha ducked and pushed her in the back, throwing her to the floor. Jenna sat there for a second, looking around. Shock was evident on her face. So was rage. She fairly crackled with it.

“You’ll pay for that.”

“All right, Sasha, we have them,” Roan interrupted.

“What?” Jenna shouted, looking in their direction.

Roan and Flynn held up both guns, smiles wreathing their handsome faces.

Jenna looked back at Sasha. “You lying, cheating bitch!” she roared, jumping quickly to her feet.

“No, Neena, no lying or cheating here.” Sasha used her real name. The game playing was over. “They took the guns to even the odds. But I do have an ace in the hole.” She finally released the anger that she had been holding with such an iron-tight rein.

As her power flooded the room and her eyes began to glow, Jenna started to back up, shaking her head in denial.

“No!” she whispered fervently, over and over, until she was shouting, screaming at Sasha. “No! You’re not the one! I’m the true Alpha! I am!”

“You have never been the true Alpha,” Sasha growled, her now dry hair whipping around her head with the force of her power. “Lifetime after lifetime, you have destroyed me and mine with your greed and jealousy. No more. The prophecy has come to pass, and the Pack will live on. You won’t,” she promised, feeling Tala’s spirit join with hers, feeling century after century’s worth of anger build until she was near bursting with it.

Sasha watched Jenna struggle with the truth of her words, her power, but still Jenna didn’t want to believe it. Then she gave Sasha a malicious grin.

“It doesn’t really matter, because you won’t kill me.” She laughed a bit hysterically. “You don’t have it in you to kill.”

“Really? Your mother might have thought the same thing”—Sasha smirked—”just before I snapped her neck.”

Jenna blinked with shock, apparently thinking that Flynn or Roan had killed her mother. Being disabused her of her original notion, her eyes glowed even brighter with fury, looking at the lifeless body of her mother then at Sasha. Jenna could smell the truth of Sasha’s words, and that made her even more furious.

“Her death won’t be in vain nor mine. Because if I die, I’m taking you with me,” she snarled, dropping to all fours.

Jenna changed, a mist of sickly gray surrounding her until a large and beautiful blond wolf emerged, its blue eyes glowing with hatred.

Sasha had a feeling she would try this, the only option left. Sasha didn’t change, though, because, well, she had only done it the one time and not on purpose. She wasn’t sure how long it would take, and she didn’t want to chance Jenna attacking her during the process, because Jenna would.

Jenna crouched low, ears laid back. Sasha knew the moment she decided to jump. It was there in her eyes a split second before she sprang forward, teeth bared to rip out Sasha’s throat.

They impacted with a grunt, Sasha grabbing Jenna’s muzzle to keep from getting ripped apart, and Jenna using her claws to scratch deep furrows on Sasha’s neck and chest. Her claws hurt like hell, but Sasha couldn’t let go. If she did, Jenna would go for the throat. That was where Sasha was the most vulnerable, and Jenna was all about taking advantage of vulnerabilities.

As they struggled, each trying to gain the upper hand, Sasha could feel blood running down her chest and stomach from the multiple gashes that Jenna’s claws left. But it wouldn’t be a good idea to let go. Though with the way Jenna was struggling and jerking her head from side to side to loosen Sasha’s hold, she just might have to. The only firm grip Sasha had was on Jenna’s lower jaw, and that grip was starting to loosen from the numerous cuts to her hands from Jenna’s teeth, the blood from those cuts making her already precarious hold slippery.

Jenna snarled, the blue fire in her crazed eyes glowing with the intensity of her hatred.

“Die, die!” Jenna growled, struggling harder to rip out Sasha’s throat.

“Not…today,” Sasha panted, finally getting the leverage she needed. Putting her right hand on Jenna’s chest and grabbing a handful of fur and flesh, she then dug her fingers in as hard as she could.

Jenna howled in pain as Sasha’s fingers ripped into her chest, her nails gouging holes into the flesh.

As Jenna tried to get loose, Sasha helped by picking her up and throwing her across the room. Jenna hit the opposite wall with a resounding crash and a loud yelp.

Sasha looked at her right hand, covered in Jenna’s fur and blood. She had done some damage, but not as much as Jenna had done to her. She needed to end this and soon, she thought as Jenna slowly picked herself up, shaking her head to clear it.

“You will pay for that,” Jenna snarled, blood trickling from her chest, the corner of her muzzle and nose.

“No, Jenna, I am done paying,” Sasha snapped back as they started to circle each other again. “And so is the Pack. We have suffered long enough because of your selfishness and greed. No more.”

Jenna came in closer, snapping her jaws and swiping at Sasha’s middle with her claws. Sasha jumped back out of the way, narrowly missing being gutted.

“The Pack is mine!” Jenna barked, coming in again and trying to find an opening.

Sasha jumped back once more, only this time, she was a little too slow. Jenna’s claws caught her under her left breast, slicing deep cuts across her ribs. Sasha gasped at the pain, scrambling out of Jenna’s reach as she tried to cover the bleeding wounds with her arm.

“Sasha!” Flynn shouted.

She felt his fear for her, his need to help his Mate and protect her from danger. She couldn’t allow him to interfere in this. Thankfully, Roan stepped in, giving her his support.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Roan lay a restraining hand on Flynn’s shoulder, stopping him. “Let her finish it, brother.”

She saw the anguish on her Mate’s face, keeping Jenna well in sight, and felt the same. But Sasha was the only one who could end this. Roan knew that as well. If she didn’t, then the cycle would continue, and they would all be doomed.

Feeling his indecision, she felt him finally relent and step back. His eyes briefly met Sasha’s, seeing the pain she so valiantly tried to hide from him, their connection letting him feel how much her wounds throbbed and hurt. Then she gave him a wan smile, letting her love show brilliantly. He smiled back, returning her love.

“This ends now, bitch.” Jenna growled, her circling and stalking at an end as she crouched low, ears laid back, teeth bared. “You’re too weak to win. The Pack will finally be mine like it should have been, like it was always meant to be. And after you die, this family and everyone associated with them will die too. No more will they look down on me. No more will they force me out and try to keep me from my destiny. I will no longer be the outcast, but the rightful and true leader of this Pack.”

“Destiny?” Sasha shook her head sadly. “The only destiny you’ve ever had was creating chaos and ruining lives. Mine, yours, and the men you’ve used.”

“Do not mock me, bitch,” Jenna snarled. “These men, and the ones before, they were nothing without a female. They knew it; we all knew it. Why do you think I went to so much trouble to snare one of them? They were a convenient excuse to get where I needed to be. Although in the beginning, it may have been more than that, but after spending several lifetimes being rejected and tossed aside like so much trash, plans change. But the sex wasn’t bad, so they were useful for something.” She smirked.

After all the drama about Flynn belonging with her, it was a little surprising to hear that he was just an excuse. But then, Jenna probably had the benefit of Neena’s memories for some time, planning her course of action, then implementing it. Still, it was strange to hear. It was even harder to hear her talk so casually about killing everyone. Add revenge to the mix, and you got one seriously angry Lupa. Although in her case, it was more like insanity. From what Sasha could glean from Tala’s memories, Neena wasn’t too tightly wrapped to begin with. Compound several lifetimes’ worth of being thwarted and treated like so much dirt, and, well…

“So you see, after all of you are gone, I will lead this Pack into a bright new future. We will be strong, powerful, invincible. You could never take the Pack where it needs to go. But I will. I will. The Pack is mine!”

While Jenna expounded on her so-called destiny of leadership, Sasha gathered what reserves of strength and energy she had left. “The Pack was never meant to be yours, Jenna. Your greed and thirst for power have impaired your judgment, ruining what chances you had at a decent life. But this is the path you chose, and you will pay for that choice.” She prepared for Jenna’s next strike. She didn’t have long to wait.

“The only one who’s going to pay is you,” Jenna snarled with hate and vengeance, then leaped forward, her eyes glowing with her fury.

Sasha caught Jenna around her head, close to her muzzle, grabbing handfuls of fur and getting a grip as Jenna used all her strength to try to rip her throat out. But Sasha was having none of that. She knew what she had to do, using the last of her strength and power to do it.

“You…will die!” Jenna roared, her struggles increasing.

Sasha then got the leverage and angle she needed. “Not me, Jenna. You!”

Roughly jerking Jenna’s head to the side, Sasha heard the neck break. Those crazed blue eyes were wide with surprise as Sasha watched the life slowly fade out of them before dropping the body to the floor. She wanted to make sure, needed to make sure, that Jenna was truly dead. And she was. It was done. In a matter of seconds, her enemy was no more.

Sasha sank to her knees, exhaustion and blood loss weighing her down. She was so tired.

Flynn and Roan rushed to her side after seeing her collapse.

“Roan, get me some towels. Hurry!” Flynn ordered once he reached her. “How you doing, sweetheart?” He looked her over, and he didn’t like what he was seeing. Blood was everywhere. Unfortunately, most of it was hers.

“Tired, very tired.” She sighed, swaying on her knees a little.

Roan came back with an armload of towels, giving them to Flynn, who wrapped one around her neck and chest, soaking up the blood still seeping from her wounds. Another he wrapped around her ribs, the cuts there more open than he liked, knowing they needed numerous stitches. Sasha hissed as Flynn applied pressure in an effort to stop the bleeding.

“Add some pressure to that side of her neck, Roan,” Flynn instructed, his face impassive, his emotions anything but.

Sasha whimpered a little; the wounds were probably starting to really hurt now that her adrenaline rush was fading.

“I know, baby, but we have to stop the bleeding,” Roan soothed. The fact his brother called her baby meant he was really concerned. Roan didn’t let his guard down often.

Sasha nodded, a mistake, as she let out another whimper, and let both of them work together to help her.

“Here, Roan. Take this. I need to see how deep some of these gashes are.” Flynn took the blood-soaked towel off her neck. He knew how bad the ones on her ribs were, but her neck and chest was covered with too much blood to make an accurate diagnosis.

“Has the bleeding stopped?” Roan tossed the towel to the floor and reached for a clean one.

“For most of the minor ones, yes. The deeper ones have slowed to a trickle.” He gently touched the wounds, inspecting her neck and chest. His blood ran cold at one particular gash. “Damn!”

“What is it?” Roan asked with concern.

“Just a hair more on the right side, and her jugular would have been ripped open. Dammit!” His fear for her turned to anger, mostly at himself for letting this happen.

“Calm down, brother. She’s safe,” Roan soothed, though Flynn could see that he too was angry at what Sasha was going through.

“I’m all right, Flynn.” Her voice was strained with pain and exhaustion.

Flynn let out a breath. “I know. It’s just too close for my peace of mind.” He cupped her cheek. She leaned into it, almost toppling over.

“Whoa there, baby.” He grabbed her shoulders to steady her, careful of her injuries.

“Sorry, feeling kind of light-headed.”

Flynn wrapped another towel around her neck, changing the one on her ribs as well, then lifted her into his arms. “C’mon, sweetheart. Sleep is what you need to heal these wounds.”

She laid her head against his chest. “Mmm, sounds good to me,” she slurred, her eyes starting to close.

Flynn carried her into the bedroom, his mother coming to his side, gasping with shock.

“Oh my God! Is she all right, Flynn? Please, tell me she’s all right,” Charlie pleaded with tears in her voice.

“She’s fine, Mother. Just cut up and exhausted, but she’ll recover.”

“Thank the Lord.”

“Turn down the covers, will ya, Angel?” Flynn nodded to the bed.

“You sure she’ll be okay, Flynn? She looks really pale.” Angel moved quickly to pull the sheets and blanket aside.

“She lost some blood, but nothing a good sleep and meals won’t fix,” Flynn told them as he put her in bed.

“Are the cuts bad?” Gabe asked with a frown.

“The majority are shallow, like the ones on her hands. But a few will need stitches.” He brought the blankets up to cover her. “I don’t want to start sewing those up until she’s asleep, though. She’s been through enough already.”

“So it’s over? Jenna’s finally dead?” Charlie looked hopeful and scared all at once.

“Yes Mother, it’s over,” Flynn replied as he brushed back Sasha’s hair.

She cracked open her eyes, looking around the room, like she was searching for something, then her gaze zeroed in on Dillon’s small form at the foot of the bed. She smiled wanly at him. “The Pack is safe.”

He smiled back. “Yes, they’re safe. You finally can rest now.”

She closed her eyes, a smile on her lips as her breath evened out in sleep.

Flynn sat next to her, watching her for a while before getting the supplies he needed. With each stitch to her body, a tear rolled down his cheek. He had let this happen, let that crazy bitch hurt his Mate. The guilt of that was a burning ball in his gut.

“Brother.” Roan laid a comforting hand on his shoulder after he had finished. Thankfully, everyone had left when he started.

“I let this happen, Roan. She’s my True Mate. What Lupus worth his salt would allow his Mate to be hurt in such a way?”

Roan let out a deep sigh. “I know how you feel, but there was nothing we could have done.”

Flynn jumped up, his anger rolling. “Nothing? Of course we could have.”

“No, my brother, we couldn’t.” His smile was sad as he looked at Sasha’s battered form lying in a peaceful sleep. He then turned to Flynn. “We all have a path to follow; you know that as well I do. Father told us enough times over the course of our lives. This was her path. Don’t let guilt for her sacrifice eat at you.”

His shoulders slumped, the anger draining away. He was right, of course. Still, it didn’t make him feel any better.

“I know how you feel, brother.”

Hearing the pain of that made him look up. For the first time since they were kids, Roan had tears in his eyes. “Ro.”

That got a half smile from him. It had been a while since he had used the childhood name.

“She is your Mate, yet…I feel…”

Flynn came to him, wrapping him in a tight embrace. “I know, Ro, I know.”

His brother was also in love in with Sasha. How could he not? She was strong, beautiful, sensual, smart, and witty. All traits both of them had looked for in a woman.

“You know I would never…”

Flynn stopped him before he could finish. “I know you wouldn’t.” He smiled. That was one thing about his brother; the man was honorable to a fault. He might be in love with Sasha, but he would do nothing about it. “You are the best man I know.”

Roan gave him a watery grin. “And you’re the most stubborn.”

Flynn chuckled. “Someone has to be.”

Roan just shook his head and brought him for another rib-cracking hug. “I love you, brother.”

“I love you too.”

They held each other a little longer; then Roan pulled back. “I’m going to get a shower. Do you need me to relieve you when I’m done?”

They both looked over at Sasha. “Yeah. She she’ll be fine for now. I’ve cleaned and dressed the wounds. All she needs now is sleep.”

“All right.” Roan patted his shoulder. “I won’t be long.” He then stopped before opening the door. “I’ll have Mikeal and his team remove the bodies, get everything cleaned up.”

Flynn gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Then he was gone.

Flynn sat beside Sasha after Roan left, taking his Mate’s hand in his. “I love you, baby.”

A feeling of safety and warmth surrounded Sasha as she floated at the edge of wakefulness. The sounds of familiar and much-loved voices filled her with peace and happiness, making her content to just float as their caring and love washed over her.

“Are you sure she’s all right, Flynn? She’s been asleep too long,” Charlie said with worry in her tone.

“I’m sure, Mother. Going through the First Transformation then battling two Lupa’s and getting injured took a lot out of her. Her body just needs to regroup and repair itself. Sleep is the best medicine.” Flynn sounded tired as he answered his mother.

“But she’s been asleep for two days. Surely she should be coming around by now.” Charlie’s voice was close.

Flynn chuckled softly. “I promise you, Sasha is fine. I would know otherwise if there was something wrong, okay?”

Her breath huffed out. “All right. I’m going to get lunch started. Now that we have all these extra mouths to feed, I find myself cooking more.”

“You don’t have to run yourself ragged, Mother.”

“Bah, I enjoy having everyone here. Besides, if it gets too bad, I’ll have Angel make a few calls to that caterer friend of hers.”

“Good thinking.”

“Call me when she wakes?”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

Sasha dimly heard footsteps, then the door opening and closing with a click.

She must have drifted off again, because the next she knew, Flynn was beside her, stroking her cheek.

“Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty.”

She slowly opened her eyes, blinking them to bring Flynn’s handsome face into focus. “Hey.” She swallowed noisily, her throat a bit scratchy.

“Hey yourself.” He leaned down to kiss her gently. “How do you feel?”

She yawned, then stretched a little. “Mmm, not too bad actually. A little sore, but otherwise okay.”

“Good.” His tone was stiff as he got off the bed and walked to the windows.

She sat up, pulling the covers with her. Something was wrong with Flynn; she could feel his anger but didn’t know why. With her being out of it, well, it had no doubt built up.

“What’s wrong, Flynn? I can feel you’re upset about something.”

He was leaning against the sill, arms outstretched and head hanging between them.

“That’s twice. Twice that I almost lost you. And both times, I was unable to stop it.”

Ah, he was angry at himself. Typical male reaction. Typical Flynn too. Men! Gotta love ‘em, she thought.

“Flynn, come here, please.” She patted the space where he had been sitting next to her.

He looked at her, hesitated, but came to her side anyway. He couldn’t do otherwise. He was her True Mate; he would go to her no matter what.

When he sat down, she took his face in both her hands and kissed him. “I love you more than I ever dreamed possible. And I know that letting me do what needed to be done went against a lot of your personal values. If you were Alpha and I was not, I know I would feel the same.”

“I feel a but in there.” He grinned ruefully, taking her hands and kissing them.

“Our roles aren’t reversed. This is who I’m supposed to be, Flynn. And I don’t want that to be a problem between us.”

He took a deep breath and let it out. “It’s not a problem, sweetheart. In fact, I’m proud my True Mate is Alpha.” He then chuckled. “Roan and I also had this conversation, of course. His reply was the same.”

“But?”

“But it tears me up to see you hurt when I can do nothing about it. I’m driven to protect you and make sure you’re safe.” He brushed her hair back and cupped her cheek. She leaned into his warmth, soaking up his love like a flower did sunlight.

“I’m sorry you had to go against your instinct to protect me. And if it’s any consolation, I’ll try my utmost to avoid those situations in the future.”

“And I’ll try not to lose it if those situations arise. Deal?”

“Deal.”

They sealed that promise with a kiss. A very steamy kiss that threatened to steal her senses. And if Roan hadn’t interrupted, that kiss could have led to a whole lot more. Note to self, use the locks on the doors.

She drew back from Flynn reluctantly. “Hello, Roan.”

“I see you’re feeling better.” His glacier-colored eyes twinkled.

“Much, thank you.” She tried not to blush. Well, not much when she was naked under the blankets and aroused for Flynn.

“So, all of her wounds are healed?”

Flynn nodded. “I took out all the stitches yesterday. And with the exception of a few pale red marks, she’s completely healed.”

“Good, good.”

She ran fingers over her neck, chest, and ribs as best she could under the covers, confirming what Flynn said. She felt only smooth skin under her fingertips. Amazing what Lupus genetics could do.

“Flynn, could I have a moment with Sasha? Alone?” Roan asked.

Flynn and Sasha looked at each other. Her expression was kind of shocked at Roan’s request. Flynn wasn’t, though. Seems he and his brother had talked about more than her battle. She didn’t see a problem with it. She shrugged to let Flynn know.

“Sure. I’ll go down and let Mother know that Sasha’s awake.” He kissed her, then left, closing the door behind him.

“All right, Roan, what’s up?” Sasha settled more comfortably under the covers.

“May I?” He indicated the spot beside her where Flynn had been.

“Okay.”

This was a new side of Roan that she hadn’t seen before. He acted almost hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure of himself. Not at all the Roan she knew. Not the Alpha Roan, anyway.

He sat down beside her, a gentle smile on his lips. “I’m not sure I know how to start.”

She took his hand, trying to put him at ease. “Start anywhere you like.”

He took a deep breath and let it out. It was so like his brother that she had to smile. He didn’t notice, though. He seemed to be having an internal debate on how and where to begin.

“Okay, Roan, spill it. You know how I dislike mysteries.”

He chuckled. “I am aware of that, yes.”

“So…” She motioned as best she could while trying to keep her dignity. Yeah, he had seen her in all her glory. Didn’t mean he needed a repeat performance. She was trying to be more easygoing, but the nude thing in front of others would take time.

“I came here to apologize,” he blurted out, as if he was afraid he would lose his nerve. Roan, afraid? Hmm, something was up here, she thought.

She blinked in confusion. “Apologize? For what?”

“For using you and putting you in harm’s way.” He would not look at her.

“Roan, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He got up and started to pace. “It’s been my job since taking over as Pack Alpha to make sure that everyone is safe, especially those closest to me.”

“Roan—”

“Please.” He cut her off, raising a hand to stop her and looking at her for the first time. “Let me finish.”

She nodded, more than confused at Roan’s odd behavior.

“In the short amount of time you have been here, you have shown great courage in handling every obstacle thrown at you,” he continued, resuming his pacing as well. “In fact, most would have gone insane at the very least, but you have embraced your new life and new family. I admire that, and to be honest, I have come to care about you. More than I should.”

Oh boy, not this. She thought they went over this in the clearing. But she guessed that traumatic experiences made a person think about the deeper things in life.

He looked at her as she was about to say something.

“No, I have to get this out.” She wisely kept her mouth shut as his eyes stared into hers. “You are my brother’s True Mate, his match in every way. He loves you more than even I thought he was capable of. And during your battle with Jenna, I saw the depths of that love.” He came to her side again and took both her hands. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have met Jenna so soon, nor would you have lost a piece of your innocence having to kill her and her mother. As Alpha, I had to make a decision for the safety of the Pack, as your brother and someone who cares about you. I deeply apologize for using you in any way, no matter how much you have accepted your new life.”

“Oh, Roan. You have nothing to apologize for.”

“But—”

She put her finger to his lips, her turn to silence him. “No, let me finish.”

He smiled at that under her finger, then took her hand and kissed it. And yes, it did give her a small thrill. Yes, Flynn was her True Mate, and she loved him, but Roan and he shared more than just looks—they shared a soul. In a small way, they were almost the same person. Almost.

“It’s the reason I have accepted and embraced my new life that I don’t feel remorse or guilt at killing Rhonda and Jenna. The cycle had to end. And we both agree, this is who I’m meant to be. It’s the life I was supposed to have. So don’t apologize, Roan. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

He laughed softly. “You are a constant surprise, but wonderfully so.”

“So Flynn tells me.”

She saw a brief flash of sadness pass in his glacier eyes, and then it was quickly gone. She hated that she had even seen it at all, but she did, and there was nothing she could do to change the fact that Flynn was her True Mate and Roan was not. And even though she couldn’t offer more to Roan, what she could give him was friendship and sisterly love. Small consolation that it was, it would have to be enough. If not, well, they would just have to find his True Mate a lot sooner.

“From the sound of footsteps coming this way, I believe our little interlude has come to an end.” He stood, the old Roan coming back.

“Roan—” She stopped him, wrapping her arms about his neck in a fierce hug. Her modesty was all but forgotten in the face of comforting him. “She’s out there, big brother, and she’s all yours.”

He returned the hug, holding her tight. “I know. But she could never be you.”

She pulled back, looking into his eyes. “Roan…”

“No, don’t say anything. I’m aware of all the arguments and the answers.” He smiled ruefully. “You two belong together; I know that. But a small part of me feels tied to you as well.” He brushed her hair behind her ear. “For years, Flynn and I have shared many things, women among them. But you are the first woman we haven’t shared, nor would either of us ask it of the other. A love like yours could never be shared. It shouldn’t be shared.”

She couldn’t help what she did next, nor would she change it or stop it. It was her gift to Roan.

“Oh Roan.” She leaned in and kissed him.

It started out as a gentle press of lips but turned into a dueling match of tongues as she tried to give him a small taste of the passion Flynn and she have shared. And Roan was no novice at passion. His cool facade was a mask for a very passionate man. And an expert kisser as well. Roan’s True Mate was going to be one lucky and very satisfied Lupa.

He broke the kiss, his breathing ragged. “Thank you,” he rasped, leaning his forehead against hers.

She chuckled huskily. “No problem.”

After they got their hearts back to normal, Roan drew back, still holding both her hands. “My brother is luckier than I thought.” He grinned mischievously as she blushed, and Flynn walked through the door.

Flynn looked at them both, a knowing light in his eyes. But there was no jealousy or anger there, only love. “I always thought so. But then, I’ve always been the better-looking twin,” he joked, winking at her.

“You’re identical, you mutt. You both look good. Now move. I would like to see my sister.” Angel came up behind Flynn, trying to bully her way past him. Roan, Flynn, and Sasha looked at each other, an unspoken agreement between them. What just transpired between Roan and her would never leave this room, nor would it ever happen again. They all nodded, and Roan kissed her hand and got up to stand beside Flynn. They talked briefly, then hugged each other tightly. They pulled back, clapping each other on the shoulder and grinning radiantly. It was brotherly love at its best, and Sasha was glad she was there to witness it.

“How you feeling?” Angel asked, jolting her back as she sat beside Sasha on the bed.

“Uh, pretty good, actually. Starved too.” Her stomach growled, and she grinned.

“Not a problem. Mom’s got lunch ready, so if you feel up to it, you can come down to eat with us.”

“Sounds good. Just let me wash up and get some clothes on first; then Flynn and I will meet you.”

“Great. See you downstairs.”

Sasha was about to get out of bed when she noticed Roan had gone as well. Which was a good thing. She had already flashed him enough these past couple days. And with the way he felt about her, well, she didn’t want to add insult to injury.

“He’s gone to let our guests know that you have awakened,” Flynn said, seeing her look around the room.

“Guests? You mean the ones he had talked about before?” She made her way to the closet to get some clothes. Now, what do you wear to a luncheon with several high-ranking Pack families?

“The very same. Jeans and a nice shirt will be fine. It’s just lunch, nothing fancy.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t sure.” She laid out some nice jeans and a silk blouse. “Have they been told about Jenna and Rhonda? About what Jenna had planned?”

“Yes and their bodies were sent to their relatives. There was a quiet burial yesterday, Roan and several of the heads of the families being witness to it,” He told her. “Because of the circumstances of their deaths, the family won’t be held accountable nor will they be required to pay reparation. Not that any of us would ask them. Despite the fact that Jenna had been Alpha, her and her mother had been estranged from their family for years.”

Getting underwear and socks, Sasha nodded. “Well, I hope they can find peace now. Jenna and Neena especially. Who knows? Maybe in their next life they could get it right.”

“Maybe they can.” Flynn chuckled, then grabbed her about the waist and spun her around in his arms, kissing her neck. “I wanted to thank you.” He kissed a wet trail to her ear.

“Mmm?” She wrapped her arms around his neck to bring him closer, all thoughts of burials and next lives forgotten.

“For Roan.”

She pulled back, looking into his light eyes. It was the same as before. No jealousy or anger. Just love. “He deserves to be happy too, Flynn, and I wanted him to know that.”

“I know, and I’m glad you could share that with him.” Then he breathed in deeply, letting it out slow. “With everything we have shared, this is the one part of my life I can’t share with him, and it makes me sad.”

“He knows that and understands.”

He gave her a bright smile. “How in the world did I get so lucky as to have you for my True Mate?”

“We’re supposed to be together.” She cocked her eyebrow in question. “Or don’t you believe in fate?”

“If I didn’t before, I do now.” He laid her gently on the bed and covered her body with his. “I love you, Sasha LeGuer.”

“And I love you, Flynn LeGuer.”

Their lips met in a fiery kiss, their passion rising.

They were a bit late for lunch.

Hmm, about me… Well, not too much to tell. I was a reader before I ever became a writer. I live in a small town in North Carolina with my hubby and our extremely spoiled German shepherd. My son is grown and out on his own. I write erotica, paranormal, futuristic, contemporary, and m/m. Stop by my website for updates on what I’m working on next.