“What do you mean she’s gone?” Vander’s anger boomed through the castle. “Where is she?” Glowing green eyes flashed with fury as he shouted for Maddox.

His breath came in short, tight draws. Claw marks scored his torso from the inside, red slashes rising on his flesh. Muscles stretched and undulated beneath his skin and the roar that broke from his throat sent his court fleeing.

Gerri pushed through the scattering crowd, the girls at her heels. “Vander, Ivy’s gone,” she declared, but stopped short at the king’s agitated appearance.

“She was going to meet you,” Henley said, her eyes flicking to Gerri, scared.

Vander spun on his heel and stalked toward the tall woman. “What?”

Gerri growled, her eyes turning a wild yellow. “Back off, Vander. We are all on the same page here. Clearly someone duped Ivy into thinking she was meeting you.”

Riley nodded. “She got a note last night. After you left in the morning, we went shopping just as you suggested. We saw Maddox in the market. He was with some desert looking guy. The man gave him something and then Maddox killed him.”

Vander’s gaze swung from one to the other, stunned.

“We overheard what he said. He was talking about something working on humans, that he wouldn’t have his work ruined. The nomad dude gave him something that squirmed in a brown slime, but when Maddox refused to pay him, the dude threatened to tell you.”

Riley wrung her hands. “That’s when he stabbed him. We saw the whole thing.”

“Your Majesty, I told you these human girls were too fickle to take seriously,” Maddox said, walking in, his eyes darting from the king to Gerri and the others. “They concoct fancies to fit their agenda.”

Vander flew from the throne’s stairs; his hand clutched around Maddox’s throat. “Where is my mate? I will crush the life out of you right now if you don’t tell me or better yet, I’ll feed you to my dogs, alive.”

The king’s eyes seethed green and his facial bones changed as scythe-like fangs pierced his gums. His hand tightened and Maddox’s eyes bulged.

“Vander!” Kari shouted, rushing forward with Jag and Damen behind her. “Stop this! Your xenos is unbound! You won’t be able to control it!”

Jag grabbed his brother’s arm and pushed the rock-like muscle, loosening so Maddox could breathe. “You want to rip his heart out later, fine. Without him, we might be too late to find Ivy.”

Jag’s words penetrated and Vander released his former chamberlain, the man slumping to the floor, gasping for air. Jag picked him up by his collar and Damen stuck a blade to his throat. “Where is the queen?”

Maddox spat, his tongue bleeding from where he bit it. “She’s not the queen. She’s not fit to be a Kasaval. She’s a human!”

Jag gave the man a shake and the tip of Damen’s dagger pierced Maddox’s skin. The old man quaked, his bravado failing. “Tell us now or you’ll beg for the mercy of Damen’s blade with what we do to you.”

“I sent Ivy the note in Vander’s name. But you’re too late. Bors has her, and if I know him, he’ll double-cross me and sell her to the highest bidder.” His gaze found Vander’s. “You can always buy your human bitch back.”

Vander backhanded the man, his neck snapping back as blood trickled from his mouth. “What did you buy from the nomad?” The king’s voice was low and deadly, but Maddox raised his chin, refusing to answer.

“I think I know,” Jag answered. “It’s that worm the old woman told us about. She wasn’t just raving. He must have found a way to use it against us and poison our women.”

“Yes!” Maddox laughed. “And I’d do more to keep you from polluting Galaxa with human whores!”

“You stupid old man! If you hadn’t killed off our women, we wouldn’t need to look to Earth for mates. Why? You make no sense.” Jag shook him again.

“I served House Kasaval for years and I should have been given title and wealth, not asked to fetch and carry. When Alyx of Nova Aurora mated that human girl and you talked of bringing that shifter bitch matchmaker here, I had to act. The warriors would have put me on the throne.”

“You’re delusional, Maddox. I’m glad my father isn’t here to see this.” Jag let him go, and before Maddox could find his feet, Vander grabbed his throat and crushed the life from his body.

The old man slumped to the ground, his lifeless form crumpled and unnatural.

“What do we do now?” Gerri asked.

Vander turned to the older woman, his face like stone. “We find my mate.”

Kari stepped in front of the king and put her hand on his cheek, risking the beast within. “The xenos has marked you, Vander. Find your mate before it shreds its way out.”

The three men stalked from the room, Vander’s guards clearing what was left of Maddox.

The women exhaled in stereo. “Will he find her?” Gerri looked at Kari, her eyes severe.

Kari nodded. “He will. Or he’ll die trying.”

Gerri’s mouth pressed into a harsh slash. “I should go with them. I can sense her.”

Kari shook her head. “Vander’s xenos has claimed her, even if she doesn’t yet wear the mark. It will sense her far more than you could. Vander will find Ivy. I know it.”

Gerri looked at the pretty silver-haired woman. “She wears the mark.” She tapped the top of her left breast. “It showed right before we had our audience at court.”

A slow smile spread on Kari’s face. “He’ll find her for sure, then. I have no doubt.” Her eyes turned to the other girls. “So, what about you two?”

“Us?” Henley exchanged glances with Riley. “What do you mean?”

Kari curled a finger over her chin and smirked. “I may not have Gerri’s keen sixth sense, but I can smell a punch to a woman’s sex as clearly as I can smell a fresh glass of Sidaii wine. You both have that scent.”

Gerri nodded with a soft chuckle. “One problem at a time, Karis. Let’s get my lost duck back into my row before we start on the others, okay?”

The regal woman inclined her head. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything from Vander or the prince.” She turned and left the courtroom.

“Which one was the prince?” Riley asked, keeping her voice low.

Gerri laughed. “The one with the same dark mane as Vander. The other one is their Chief of Security, Damen Iceri.”

Riley nodded. “He’s not as big as the others, but damn he’s hot. Did you see him take control and calm Vander before he shred that dude?”

Henley nodded. “Yeah, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the other one. He was lethal fast with that blade.”

Gerri shook her head. “One at a time, ladies. Please. One at a time.”

* * *

Vander shaded his eyes, his green gaze scanning the horizon. He hadn’t said a word in miles.

“Maybe they stopped for shelter somewhere. Even a camel would need to rest at some point,” Jag said, wiping his brow.

“The camels taken from the stables were pack animals. They can go for days without much rest.” Damen frowned. “When I find Nico, I’m going to slit his throat.”

Vander looked at his friend. “Nico was not your fault.”

Damen’s jaw tightened. “He was a member of your guard. I vetted him, so I take responsibility and I will be the one to take his life if your mate is harmed.”

“The horses need water. We can stop at the tent village at the crossroads. Maybe someone there saw something.” Jag nodded toward the tents in the distance.

Vander pulled his horse to a halt. His eyes moved toward the sand and the dunes beyond. “She was here.” He gestured with his chin toward the expanse. “Out there.”

Jag shook his head. “No, Vander. The camels wouldn’t survive the boiling sand.”

The king’s horse reared. “I know they took her that way. The beast is coiling inside. It’s gnawing for me to follow the trail in that direction, so either you come with me or I go alone. It’s as simple as that.”

Jag exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. “Then we need to leave the horses and find camels sturdy enough to make the journey, because even if it’s cooling since it’s heading to nightfall, it will be just as hot tomorrow when the sun hits its peak.”

Damen clicked the inside of his cheek and the three took off toward the tent village at top speed. They pulled in front of the largest tent, knowing it belonged to the local chieftain. People gathered, surrounding the king and the others.

“We need camels,” Vander said matter-of-factly. “Where is your chief?”

The tent flap opened and a woman stepped out, beautiful in her desert robes and headdress. “Our chief is dead. I am his daughter.” She inclined her head. “What can we do for you, my lord?”

“Camels. Stout enough to withstand the sands and the mountains.”

She shook her head. “All we have is what you see. You are welcome to them, but please leave something for the exchange.”

The king growled and his eyes flashed. The woman’s face paled and she took a step back. Jag moved his horse ahead and got her attention. “We will leave our horses, but if we return to find you’ve sold them, the consequences will be great. But if we return and find them well cared for, you will be rewarded ten times the worth of the camels we borrow.”

She inclined her head again, and with a single swipe of her hand, three camels were brought forward. “You can fill the canteens at the spring you’ll pass on the way to the mountains.”

Vander nodded his thanks and mounted, the others doing the same. With a swift kick to the camel’s flank, he took off, hooves kicking sand in a storm behind him. They stopped at the spring and as soon as jag dismounted, he stopped.

“Looks like someone beat you to him, Damen.” He gestured at the two decomposing bodies. “If memory serves, one of these unfortunate assholes is Nico.”

Damen stood beside Jag and nodded. “Well, at least it was a blade.”

Jag laughed. “Dude, you and your knives.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Over the years, I’ve learned to multitask, and my senses have as well. We might have been occupied with Maddox, but one of those hot numbers standing with the matchmaker was creaming in her panties for you.”

He laughed. “That’s funny, because the little one had eyes only for you and the way she licked her lips, dude, you need to jump on that.”

Vander maneuvered his camel, the beast stomping its front legs. “Keep your dicks in your pants and your heads in the game or you can both head back to the palace for a playdate.”

The two shut up and filled the hipflasks and they set off, riding to where the sand met the base of the first mirror mountain.

“We’re not far. Bors wouldn’t take her back to his camp. He couldn’t protect her there, not if he’s planning to sell her in one piece.”

Vander’s eyes flashed and he growled again.

“Bro, keep a lid on that beast. We’re on the same side.” Jag shook his head.

The sun was setting and the king pushed his camel farther. When they crested the first craggy path, he stopped. “She’s close. I can feel her.”

They climbed the base steppes and as the path wound, the elevation rose. Temperature dropped and patches of snow could be seen on the cliffs above. Vander urged his camel higher until he stopped again, but this time he slid from his saddle.

“We go on foot from here. She’s near. Very near.” His eyes scanned the rocky terrain and he froze. A single curl of smoke, almost invisible to the eye, poked through the thickening gloom. “There!”

He raced full speed, his clothes tearing from his body as the xenos took him. With a single leap, he landed on an outcrop, and a roar unlike any other echoed against the rock face.

Jag looked at Damen and the two took the rear flank. Vander needed to do this. Alone.

His body shook and muscles ripped and reshaped, the xenos seizing him until he stood, majestic and lethal. An ancient cat with fangs as long as a man’s arm. Massive muscles bunched and released as the beast moved in for the kill. Its powerful neck swung back and forth, scenting for its quarry.

A woman’s scream sent it racing forward. It crashed through the makeshift camp, razor claws shredding men and animals in its wake. A tent flap flew back and Bors ran out, his blade dripping with blood. He skidded to a halt as he faced the great cat.

“Vander!” Ivy yelled, running from the tent clutching the shreds of her top to her breasts. She stopped, her eyes flying wide with fear and she screamed again, only this time Jag and Damen moved to flank the tawny beast.

“Ivy?” Jag asked, his jaw hardening at her torn clothes.

She nodded. “Is tha…tha…that Vander?”

Damen nodded. “Yes, and he’s not quite himself as you can see, so unless you want to die, I suggest you move very carefully. You are the only one who can tame the inner animal.”

She swallowed. “Yeah, except it’s not so inner anymore.”

Jag cracked a smile. “True, still. It’s you, Ivy. Even I’m not safe and I’m his brother.”

Ivy’s eyes moved to Jag and she nodded. “Nice to meet you. I’m sure you never thought you’d meet your future sister-in-law like this, but hey—”

Damen looked from her to Bors and back again. “Is he the reason your clothes are in shreds?”

Ivy looked at the man and the glint of his blade in the moonlight. “No. The man responsible for that is dead. His blood is on Bors’s knife.” Her mouth slid into a harsh line. “Not out of concern for me, but because my value would have dropped if—”

Vander’s cat roared, sinews coiled and ready to attack at the implication.

Damen gestured to her gently. “Walk toward me, Ivy. Keep your movement slow.” She took a single step, but Bors grabbed her around the shoulders and held his blade to her neck.

“I’ll slit her fucking throat!”

Damen and Jag froze, and the cat screamed, the sound ricocheting off the mountains. The pack camels reared and stomping at the feral sound. Ivy used the distraction and sunk her teeth into Bors hand, breaking his flesh, drawing blood.

The man hissed, loosening his grip on her and the blade. She swung her arm back, her fist hitting him square in the balls. He dropped the knife, sucking in a high-pitched wheeze. Ivy slipped under his arm as he doubled over, racing toward Jag as the cat attacked.

Hind legs released and the cat launched itself, jaws wide. His massive mouth chomped down, lifting Bors head first, its giant canines impaling the man’s skull. With a single shake, it snapped the man’s neck, shattering every bone in his spine, letting him slump to the ground.

Jag stood watching, his arm around Ivy as she buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching what was left of her clothes. “I thought you said the beast took chunks out of its victim and let it bleed out before devouring it,” he said, leaning toward Damen.

“I said that’s what the archives alleged.”

Jag shrugged, tightening his grip on Ivy’s cowering frame. “So much for historical record.”

The cat stood panting, its muzzle covered in blood, its muscles still roiling with non-expelled anger. Damen elbowed Jag. “You want to tell Vander it’s over?”

The prince snorted. “Would you? I’m not sure Vander is still Vander in there.”

Ivy let go of her hold on Jag and dragged in a steadying breath. Vander had come for her, and the cost was high. The mark on her breast prickled, and she knew what she had to do.

She moved from Jag’s side and approached the giant predatory cat. Sinking to her knees, she reached with one hand, her fingers sinking into its soft mane. “It’s over, Vander. Come back to me, love. Please.”

The cat lifted its head and turned its glowing green eyes to hers. She stroked the animal’s nose, kissing the soft top. What sounded like a low purr formed in its throat and in a snap of bone and sinew, the cat threw its head back and screamed again, but this time as the sound echoed, Vander slumped forward on all fours. Naked and exhausted.

“Well. I guess we’re making camp here tonight. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be around him if he has to ride that camel in the buff. Ouch!”

“Shut up, Jag. Go find me some clothes.” He glanced over his shoulder at Damen. “And you move that other body out of the tent and toss it with this one on a pyre. We don’t want to attract wild animals.”

He laughed out loud. “Attract? Dude, you’re the king of them all.”

Needing her hands to help Vander, Ivy knotted what was left of the crisscross bodice, waiting with him as the others cleared the area.

She helped him up and into the tent. “Let me get water and clean you up,” she said, pouring from a large skin flask into an empty bowl. He moved to one of the cots and slumped down as she tore the side of her pants, using the cloth to clean the blood from his skin and face.

“I knew you’d come for me,” she murmured.

He slipped a hand behind her head. “Always, Ivy. You’re mine.”

Her hand slipped over his chest to the claw marks, only now swirls had formed between the jagged strokes that matched the ones on her breast. She untied the makeshift knots at her side and let the shredded top fall to her waist. Lifting his hand, she put it on the mark.

“A matching set.” She chuckled. “Like luggage.”

He smirked, letting his fingers fall to cup its full weight. Grazing his thumb over her nipple, he slid a hand behind her head and pulled her close. His lips hovered over hers and his tongue traced their outline. “You’re marked, Ivy Grimaldi. My xenos has claimed you, as do I.”

His mouth crushed to hers and he let his hand slip to her waist, untying what was left of her silken pants. The material floated to the floor in a satiny puddle and he lifted her so she straddled his hips, his cock slipping deeply inside.

“Forever,” he murmured driving up, lifting her high.

She gasped, arching back to roll her hips, her body taking every inch of him. “Forever.”