Kid safely surrounded by deadly werewolves, I walked back into Hell’s Chapel to a full on rush of tweeners. The bar was packed, Berg and Jezze behind the counter slinging drinks and making small talk while they kept strained smiles on their faces. Shit.

I hurried to join them, shoving my way through the rowdy crowd. Jezze shot me a glare as I rounded the end and dipped under the divider. I knew she didn’t really blame me for having to deal with Bry’s school, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t irritated. And I couldn’t blame her since she was left to deal with the rush all by herself.

Sure, Berg was there, but Bergamot was… Bergamot. A half-dem, half-brownie, full-sized hottie who enjoyed fucking. Just about anything.

I poured drinks and worked to keep up with the rush, taking a few seconds here and there to scan the bar for any tween regulars I could use. There were a few who made it their business to know all the gossip in the tween. A couple had to have heard something about Lucia and the new church that’d sprung up out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, it seemed my customers had something else on their minds. Really, none of the men were thinking with the heads on their shoulders.

Several couples were making out in the booths near the back, a few getting so down and dirty I might have to go kick them out. Unless it was Sam and me, Hell’s Chapel was a fuck-free zone. Especially after I’d walked in on Jezze getting it on with a thelac demon in the back room two years ago.

Yeah, there were plenty hanging around, looking for love. I had to tell more than one guy to back off a couple of little elf chicks sitting at the bar. (The pretty, graceful ones, not the shoemakers.) Truth was, they may—or may not—have been able to take care of themselves if a tweener got too pushy. They could be eighteen or eighteen hundred for all I knew. But Hell’s Chapel was mine and if a lady said “fuck off,” the guys fucked off.

Or I fucked them in the face with a baseball bat.

And it couldn’t just be restricted to customers, right? Some idiot had to cozy up to the bar, flashing me a leering grin. I scented the wolf inside him, the thirsty beast just beneath the surface of flesh, and it set my hackles on edge. A tightness formed between my shoulders, body tense and aching with my wolf’s readiness. The beast didn’t like being lusted after by anyone other than our mate. She was more than ready to take that guy’s lust and show him exactly where he could shove it.

He just watched me for a while, eyes tracking my every movement. He sipped his drink, a nice whiskey that Berg had fetched from the top shelf. Wouldn’t do much to get a wolf drunk, but it tasted good.

Plus, it was expensive. I bought the bottle a hundred years ago myself for next to nothing and charged a grand a shot. Ka. Ching.

When I had a brief lull, I worked at tidying the bar, wiping down surfaces, and gathering up glasses to be washed.

That was when he decided to push his luck. He stood on the rungs of a stool, leaning across the bar and drawing in a breath. He sniffed me, long and deep as if I was a tasty meal. A casual, friendly sniff wasn’t uncommon, but this was definitely more on the personal spectrum.

“What time do you get off?” He licked his lips.

“Depends on what time my boyfriend comes over.” I wanted to call Sam my mate when I spoke to others, but we weren’t there and getting into the drama llama with a random asshole wasn’t worth the trouble.

He laughed and reached across the bar, dirt-caked fingers stroking my hand. “Why wait? I bet I could get you off right here.”

I snatched my hand away, my other slipping under the bar and grabbing my bat. Titanium this time. Jezze convinced me to rock something metal since I could add a little hellfire to it when I fought. I could both hit and burn their asses at once. Go team multitasking!

I didn’t think I’d really need to take it to this guy, but I’d had too many bad experiences with werewolves wanting to get frisky. I didn’t want to take any chances. “Mind your manners.” I bared my fangs, the tips elongating and lowering to prick my lip. “I’d hate to have to kick you out of here.”

“Oh, come on,” he chuckled. “I’m just being friendly.”

“And I’m just telling you to fuck off.”

He leaned back, frowning at me. “You can’t tell me this boyfriend of yours is giving you what you need.” He sniffed at the air and I knew what scents he’d find. “You want me to believe a gel is giving you enough to satisfy your wolf? Baby, why not let me show you what a real animal can do.”

“Been there, humped that,” I drawled. “Not interested. And that is your last warning.”

He rose from his stool and stepped back, one hand clutching that expensive ass whiskey and the other held in surrender. “No problem, baby. But if you change your mind…” He flashed a fang and winked before sauntering off.

He strolled to the back, wandering up to a trashy-looking troll holding up the wall. The chick had a face like dried porridge, but the wolf didn’t look to have high standards. Plus, if he was like a lot of wolves, he’d probably stay behind her the whole time. It wasn’t her face that mattered.

I turned my attention back to the other customers, wondering who the fuck let Cupid into the bar today. The air practically swam with pheromones and even I was slowly being lulled by the sensual heat pulsing through Hell’s Chapel. It made me want to go home and call Sam for another date night so I could crawl all over him and—

I froze in place and shook my head free of the desire trying to make its way through my body. Yeah, it was getting hot.

Thankfully, we managed to get through the rest of the night without having to kick any asses, which was always a plus in my book. I threw the bolt on the front door, a couple of whispered words and a gentle caress slamming the wards into place. We’d all leave through the back door as soon as clean-up—

Jezze already had her purse draped across her body and was headed for the back door without giving me a second glance.

“Hey!” I yelled out to her. “I know you were stuck here by yourself for a while, but I could still use some help with this mess.” I gestured at the tables covered in empty glasses, used napkins, and crushed peanut shells. And was that a condom? Okay, gross, the brownies could deal with that one.

“Sorry, Caith,” Jezze yelled back. Funny. She didn’t sound sorry. “I’ve got a date.”

“Since when?” I frowned, propping my hands on my hips. As far as I’d known, Jezze hadn’t been getting any action for a while.

“Since now.” She waved a piece of paper sporting scrawled numbers on it. “Don’t wait up for me, ‘kay?”

She winked and then headed out the door, heavy metal panel slamming shut in her wake. I just sighed and shook my head. Apparently love was in the air tonight. Or at least strong assed lust. Jezze never hooked up with someone from the bar—shooting down anyone who even tried—but there she went with a bounce in her step and ready to get fucked.

I finished clean-up-ish and headed to Papa Al’s to pick up Bry. The little tyke was asleep by the time I got there and Dad said he hadn’t been any trouble, which was a relief. I was ready for the night to be done and maybe I wouldn’t wake up to glowing coloring projects.

I carefully balanced Bry against my shoulder, small arm wrapped around my neck while he pressed his face to my neck. He snuggled close, a comforting weight against my body. My wolf was happy to have our pup back and near. The beast inside me acknowledged Papa Al’s strength and dominance but… Bry was our pup.

I had to stop when Mitchell and Gregory stepped out of the shadows and into my path. They were two sentries for Papa Al, members of the local pack who protected the High Wolf of North America. Orlando was a little odd when it came to wolf hierarchy. Papa Al was technically the alpha of all alphas, but he lived in Orlando to be near me. Except Orlando already had a pack and an alpha.

To make it even more uncomfortable? The Orlando alpha was one of my exes so Papa Al hated the male on principal. They tended to stay out of each other’s way, the local pack sending enforcers for training and rotating some of the best in for Papa Al’s protection.

They both leered at me, lustful eyes stroking my body, and neither were even trying to hide what they were doing. Greg even went so far as to palm his dick, rearranging his cock, and I couldn’t miss the growing bulge.

Really. I mean, really.

“Caith,” Mitchell murmured and stepped closer. “Long time no see. You’re looking good. Real good.”

I took a step back, tamping down my wolf’s instinctual response to the closeness of a male who wasn’t her mate. “I’m looking really tired.” I eyed them both. “Excuse me.”

I stepped left, trying to go around Mitchell, but Greg planted himself in my path. “Why don’t you come out with us?” I glared at him, idly wondering if I was gonna have to get rough. “It’s a beautiful night. We’re meeting up with some guys at a club downtown. Couple from the pack.” He moved in on me. “Couple others you already know.”

“I have my son.” I dodged around Greg and headed for my car.

“Alrick can keep an eye on him.” Mitchell’s voice filled my ear, the wolf too close for my comfort. Then he was in front of me, walking backward so we were still face to face. “Come on, there aren’t enough bitches in the pack.”

He stopped and so did I. Then he wasn’t stopped any longer. Mainly because I placed my palm flat on his chest and shoved. I was proud of myself, too. I hadn’t called on hellfire or anything. He stumbled a few steps, shooting me a nasty glare, curled lips and all.

“Cunt,” Mitchell spat and turned away, the two wolves disappearing back into the darkness.

And I just rolled my eyes.

That didn’t mean I didn’t keep my senses open while I loaded Bry into his car seat. This was… A tremor went down my spine, hair standing on end. This was getting weird—weirder than normal. Horny drunks at the bar was one thing, but the pack had given up on scoring me as a pack bitch years ago. Mainly when I’d made it painfully clear I’d never be interested. Not after Justin ripped my heart to shreds.

They’d steered clear for the most part. Maybe the occasional joke, but this aggressiveness was odd.

I mulled the night’s events in my mind as I drove home, the thoughts not leaving me while I put Bry to bed and then grabbed a bite to eat in the kitchen. I padded into the living room and turned on the TV, hoping for something dumb and mindless that would distract me for a little while. I flipped through the channels, hunting for something worth falling asleep to, and ended up watching some weird infomercial for perfume.

The things humans would shill.

I sat and watched, hoping the boring drone of the salesman’s voice would lull me to sleep.

My eyes drifted closed, lids slowly coming together, but a hazy, pink after-image of the TV screen floated across my vision. I tried to focus on it, but the haze seemed to float just out of my reach. It danced across my vision, almost hypnotic, and I felt like I floated in air. A seductive warmth rolled over me and I sighed with the heated sensations.

Then another visual swam into focus—the announcer from the infomercial. Oh, he was a pretty, pretty boy. I relaxed into the couch, happy to let this dream take me away—I was mated, not dead—but then…

Through the haze that clouded my mind, I realized the salesman was reaching for me, large hand open and fingers curled as if he was ready to snatch me close. I cringed backward, pressing my back against the couch, but his arm kept extending. I shook my head, no longer liking the dream.

I was like a stripper even in dream-land. Look, but don’t ever touch.

The gears in my brain were sluggish, the metal teeth tick, tick, ticking around but never quite catching. All I could do was squirm, leaning back farther and farther until I practically crawled up and over the piece of furniture.

No, wait, that’s what I did. I climbed up the back, my weight throwing the couch off balance until it toppled over, dumping me backward onto the floor.

The sudden fall and thump of hitting the aged wood floors jarred me awake, snapping me from the hazy dream world and into the present. A present that included a person who was very un-hallucination-y and very, very real. Someone—something—was in my house.

The intruder passed through the couch, still coming for me, and I crab walked away. I finally flipped backward and rolled to my feet, legs braced and body vibrating with the rush of adrenaline. His arms outstretched, delicate fingers reaching for me, I swayed forward, ready to fall into his embrace. No. Wait. I shook my head. That wasn’t right. I wasn’t going to touch anyone but my mate.

I shifted my weight, lifted my leg, and slammed a bare foot into his chest. The strike vibrated up my leg, the reverberating strength rolling through me in a quick wave. The creature stumbled back the way he’d come, slamming into the wall. He clutched his chest, perfectly manicured claws rubbing the spot while he stared down at where I’d kicked him.

Then he looked up at me, gorgeous face framed by luscious black hair. Midnight wings spread out from his back and the seductive haze pushed and prodded me, telling me his wings looked so warm and inviting. They’d feel so delicious wrapped around me…

The creature advanced slowly once more, and I lifted my hands, ready to get into it with this guy. But his movements weren’t threatening. No, he smiled at me, eyeing me coyly, running his tongue over a pair of full, tempting lips. He spread his arms, beckoning me, inviting me into his embrace. I shook my head again, trying to clear away whatever spell worked its magic on me.

But his arms and muscular chest looked so nice and I was so tired. All I could think about was how delicious it would be to be held by those arms. So safe, so cherished.

The creature eased closer and I wasn’t concerned about his long claws or pointed teeth. I just… needed. I even took a step nearer, ready to be enfolded in his sensual grip. He would be the perfect lover, touching me where I needed him most. Fucking me hard and deep. My pussy clenched, nipples tightening, and the creature licked his lower lip, desire flaring in his gaze.

Yes. Hard. Deep. Come… inside me and—

No. No. My wolf made its growl heard, filling my mind with the unending sound. It rolled through my body, scraping and clawing at my nerves with its sharpened claws.

There would be one male inside us, one male coating us with his scent. One male claiming us.

That male was not this creature. Ever.

His fingers teased my biceps, the creature drifting closer while my wolf tried to make me see sense. I brought my arms up in front of me and knocked the creature away before he could sink his sharp claws into my flesh. I followed that with another kick, this one to his gut, and then a knee to the face when he doubled over.

He simply straightened, eyes connecting with mine once more. He lifted his hand, single finger raised, and slowly wiggled it back and forth in a negative motion. A lump of sadness welled inside me, heartbreak that I’d upset my lover. I should go to him and apologize before he decided he didn’t want—

The wolf in me lunged forward, biting at my inner flesh, reminding me that Caith Mother Fucking Morningstar had one lover and didn’t apologize to anyone. Not even him.

This time, I didn’t wait for him to come to me. I went to him. I strode forward, determination in every step, and he opened his arms and wings for me.

Welcoming me. Beckoning me. Accepting me into his embrace and his—

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I halted just short of his touch, fighting back the persistent haze that drifted over me like a dense fog. It stuck to my skin, coating me in the overwhelming need to submit to this creature. This seductive, delicious, passionate creature.

Sharp nails scraped my bare arms, the scent of my blood joining the intoxicating aroma of the man’s desire. Pain pulsed through me in time with the beat of my heart. Thrum, thrum, thrumming in my veins and I moaned with the following pleasure.

Yesss… So good.

He lowered his head, lips parted, forked tongue darting out to lap at my…

A heavy thud followed by the crack and snap of wood splintering filled the room. The loud sounds joined the sounds of my harsh panting and soft mewls as I prepared for the creature’s passion. As I—

Agony enveloped me, claws scraping through the flesh of my biceps and digging deep furrows into my skin and muscle. The creature flew backward, away from me and through the air until it struck the opposite wall.

I turned my attention to the reason for our separation, the person who dared get between me and my lover. I stared at him, softly curled hair, eyes that wavered between red and blue. His bare chest glistened in the room’s soft lighting, his carved muscles tempting me to go to him, to lick and taste him from head to toe.

He was… my mate. I shifted my gaze. The other was not.

The fog lifted from my head, haze dissipating with the agony and rapid separation, and I finally came to my senses.

It was Sam. Sam had come and saved me from… From an incubus—a demon that fed off sexual energies. They glamoured themselves and took on illusionary disguises, moving among the tween, seducing with soft words and whispered promises. They lured the unsuspecting into dark corners and alleys, using the desire and passion they stoked to sustain them.

But once that spell was broken, reality intruded. People realized their lover had wings and horns, a forked tongue and fangs. And a deliciously talented tail. Hey, a girl who lived forever had to test the waters with every kind of demon, right?

Though this one’s arrival was surprising. After my experience with their prince, Ash, wherein I kicked his ass for cheating on me, they tended to steer clear. And, as a general reminder to men everywhere—demon or human— “I’m just a dick using my dick” is not an appropriate response when a woman discovers his cheating behavior.

Oh, I tossed a couple from the bar here and there. They were the ones who got more aggressive like this guy, skipping seduction and going straight for hypnotic allure.

“Motherfucker,” I spat at the creature, furious over what it’d almost made me do.

It struggled against Sam’s grip, slashing at my mate with its sharpened claws. Sam grabbed its wrists, fighting to hold the demon off. Incubi weren’t physically strong compared to other demons, but they didn’t have to be. Their very touch spread its hypnotic powers and I could already see hints of Sam’s surrender to the creature. My mate’s body responded to the demon, lured by its passionate haze. No doubt he experienced the same urges that’d assaulted me moments ago, his body making him wonder what bliss could be found in the creature’s embrace.

I don’t think it mattered that Sam was straight.

My mate’s moves went from fierce and combative to sluggish and passive, his shoves gradually transforming to caresses.

Caresses reserved for me, dammit. The beast in me pushed against my human flesh, stretching my skin, shoving fur through my pores and claws past my nails. My gums throbbed as my fangs pierced flesh.

The wolf wanted to tear him limb from limb. My rational mind knew putting my hands on the incubus was a mistake. I flipped the couch upright and dug my claws into the leather back, tearing the hide away to reveal the blades I’d tucked away. With Bry mobile and getting into shit, I had to tuck weapons in more secure locations. No more machetes on the end table.

I wrapped my hand around the hilt of one sword, wrenching it free of its hidden home, and then vaulted over the battered piece of furniture. I didn’t know how this thing had gotten into my house—the entire property was protected by wards Jezze and Momma R had put into place.

The incubus lowered his head, lips parted as if to steal a kiss.

I’d worry about the “how” later—after I made sure the incubus didn’t mind-rape my mate.

Hellfire infused the blade, sliding along my arm and over the steel to coat the metal in sparking flames. It took me two steps to reach the men and one swing to sink my blade into the incubus’ flesh. Meat sizzled, smoking rising from the creature’s body, and it arched away from my sword. A high-pitched squeal escaped its mouth, arms and wings flailing while it fought to free itself. Which gave Sam a chance to get free and put distance between him and the creature.

I withdrew my sword, more than ready to swing it again and lop off that fugly head of his, but the demon moved before I had the chance.

It… ran. It tucked its wings close, tail wrapped around its body, and ran for the front door in a blur of red and black.

I took a step to follow it, intent on finishing the job I’d started, but the room spun and I swayed. I caught myself on a nearby chair, using it to keep me upright while the living room wavered in my vision.

I shook my head, pushing the haze from my mind, and I got rid of enough to make it across the room. I wasn’t giving chase, but I could damn well shut the front door. I slammed it shut and then leaned against the solid wood panel, sliding down the surface until my ass hit the marble. I took a few deep breaths to steady myself, find my center and calm my heart. The wolf still paced, furious, raging, and silently begging me to scorch the fucking Earth already.

Which, considering its love for all things green, told me the animal was super pissed.

The thud of Sam’s boot on aged wood reached me just before he came around the corner. He did the same as me, using a flat surface to slide down until he sat to my left.

“You okay?”

“Of course.” I smiled, but I’m pretty sure it was more like baring my teeth. “An incubus attacked me in my home. It was fabulous.” I suppressed my beast’s growl. “And, it looks like I’ve got my own personal guardian angel watching over me. Though I sometimes wonder how you always seem to know I’m in danger.”

And that I need you.

I didn’t say that part out loud, though. Morningstars didn’t need anyone.

“A succubus attacked me in my apartment. I figured you might be in danger as well, so I came over.”

“A succubus?” I arched my brows and then lowered them, glaring at my mate. My inner wolf snarled at the idea of some skank-whore demon bitch trying to seduce my mate. “And how did you fend her off?”

Sam smirked. “I’ve been holding back every moment since we met, amica. I’ve learned quite a bit of self-control.”

My heartbeat stuttered, the old endearment filling me with a frustrating rush of desire and unease.

Fear.

We’d been down the pet name road before and that’d ended… badly.

I laughed, shaking my head and pushing those warring emotions away. For now, I’d be thankful for my gel’s willpower. “But why? What were they after?” I tilted my head back, staring at the ethereal runes still in place around the doorway. “How did they get in?”

Sam sighed. “I don’t know. I can only guess it’s somehow related to Lucia and her schemes.”

Yeah, we were on the same page with that one. When I’d told him about the temple—Lucia—he’d come to the same conclusions. Silaran wasn’t done and it looked like he had his girlfriend doing some heavy lifting.

“Do you think it’s connected to Bry?” I didn’t know what kind of connection there could be between Lucia and my son, aside from the likelihood that she was targeting him for revenge.

“I don’t know, but I did a little research into that language you showed me. None of my contacts from On High recognized it.”

“Jezze and I compared it to a few dem languages and magical scripts. No luck either.” Fuck, I hated this. Couldn’t I get a couple of years of normalcy? Not a lot, just a few. Maybe enough of them to get my kid through college. “So, it’s not from On High or Hell.”

“At the moment, it doesn’t look like it.” His deep rumble slipped through me, easing some of my remaining tension. “I consulted a linguist who studies ancient languages. He says the patterns in the script indicate it’s a language, not random gibberish. I left a magic-free copy with him.”

Magic free. Good idea. Who the fuck knew what was up with the original?

“That’s a start.” I closed my eyes, sleep—real sleep—tugging at me. I had one other idea in mind. I opened one eye, peering at my mate. “You busy doing angel things tomorrow?”

He still got to flit off and do the whole soul-cleansing thing on a part-time basis for On High and I knew it soothed the goodness inside him. The parts still trying to heal from when he’d fallen.

“I’m never too busy for you.”

I snorted. “Yeah. I’m being serious.”

A small smile spread across his lips. “So am I.”

Except that small smile was more of a “let’s get dirty” smile and I could practically read his boink-centered thoughts. Just because my mate didn’t cross the finish line didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy sharing passion. He loved getting his hands on me and I loved having his hands on me.

“Okay. After I drop Bry off at school tomorrow morning, you and I are going to check out that temple. It could be Lucia moving into town or it could simply be a new band of crazies setting up a cult.”

I was hoping for a cult.

“If there are nonhuman happenings, I wanna know what they are and nip them in the bud if they’re going to cause shit.”

He raised a single eyebrow and I mentally cursed, almost ready to thank that stupid incubus for breaking in. Sure, he’d caused shit, but his presence had taken care of the foreplay thing. I was hot and ready and maybe I could convince Sam to bend me over the battered couch. Just slide right in and pound—

“And if the people at the temple don’t like us snooping around?”

Right. We weren’t fucking. We had important things to discuss.

I shifted my attention from pleasure and focused on pain. Specifically, the pain I wanted to cause someone else. I lifted my sword, watching the incubus’ blood slide down the sharpened edge. “I hope they don’t.”