“This can’t be happening,” she mumbled as she dressed.

“I’m sorry,” Cadon said, his back to her.

“I can’t believe it.” She pushed out a heavy breath. “I just can’t.” She rubbed her eyes and reached for her sweater. “You can turn around.” Kerry’s heart was still beating a mile a minute. She struggled to catch her breath, as she pulled her sweater down. They were well and truly prisoners of a bunch of madmen.

Cadon was wearing a pair of low riding black jeans and nothing else. As he turned, she saw that his eyes were filled with rage and concern. “I’m sorry about all of this.”

“You’re sure I have to stay?” she blurted even though she had been there. She’d heard everything that had just gone down. Of course she had to stay. “Don’t answer.” She sucked in a deep breath. “We’ll pretend to be together. I’ll help you teach them how to…how on earth are we going to teach them how to be anything but cavemen, because that’s what they are?” Panic bled into her veins. “Complete Neanderthals. I’m surprised they didn’t club a woman over her head and bring her back…to wherever they came from.”

“That’s the thing…” Cadon ran a hand through his hair. “An unwilling female can’t be mated. A female must cream if she is to become with clutch…although the second requirement is much easier than the first. It is very rare that a Feral will get a female with clutch and not be mated. It’s not how we do things.” He locked eyes with her. They were beautiful. Strange and yet bizarrely gorgeous. “Magnar and his team are looking for mates. If they were here to mount they’d have taken females with force like you said.”

“Well that asshole can forget it, I’ll never be willing, so he’ll never be able to…mate me or any of that other stuff.” She said, injecting as much force into her words as she could.

“He is the most arrogant male you will ever encounter. Magnar firmly believes that if he mounts you, you will want nothing more than to become his mate. Besides, I don’t think he truly wants you. Sure, he’s attracted to you but that’s not it. He has realized that he can use you to get to me. He’s not convinced we’re together, but he has correctly assessed that I would go to great lengths to protect you. If you hadn’t been here, I would have risked the lives of my males and headed back to my territory for reinforcements.” Cadon shrugged. “He is using you against me and it’s working.”

She sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry.” Guilt flooded her.

“It’s not your fault. Please believe that. I’m glad I wasn’t forced to leave my males. If I had they may very well be dead.”

“That does make me feel a bit better. I’m glad they’re not dead.” There was something she was struggling with. Seriously struggling. “What is up with that?” She pointed to the enormous erection he was still sporting. Cadon had been in a fight. Both in the physical sense as well as a verbal sparring session with someone who could easily be called his enemy. She was fully dressed and yet…there it was. A bulge. Make that, a huge bulge, still present. It didn’t look like it was going away any time soon either. She definitely couldn’t ignore it anymore. Especially if they were sharing a room.

Cadon shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Ignore it.”

“I tried but at this point I can’t anymore.” Even though she should. “I also really need to know who you are…what you are,” she added more firmly. “Especially if I have to stay here.” She put a hand on her belly.

“I’m a shifter.”

When it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything else, she continued. “I gathered that. What kind of shifter? You have wings. Wings and beaks…some kind of bird?”

“I believe humans call us griffins; we call ourselves The Feral.”

“Griffin…” She searched her memory. “Half eagle and half…I can’t remember the other half.” Something with fur and a tail. Something strong.

“Lion. Half eagle and half lion.” Cadon sat down on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his thighs.

“Oh, yes.” She nodded. “I didn’t know you existed. Never thought I’d see a shifter. Certainly not a shifter like you.”

Cadon smiled. “Not many people know of our existence, so it is no wonder. This needs to stay a secret.” He turned serious. “I also need to warn you that you have to stay clear. Especially when it comes to Fallen males.”

“Why are they not a part of your group? Did they do something wrong?”

“Yes.” Cadon nodded. “They went against my king. They were excommunicated some years back and with good cause.”

“Oh. How did they go against him?”

“Let’s leave this conversation alone. You know too much already.” Then his whole stance softened. “I will keep you safe and you will be able to return to your family. I’m hoping sooner rather than later. The less you know the better.” He spoke softly. “If you knew too much I’d have to take you with me.”

“Oh!” Her heart beat a little faster. There was this tiny part of her that liked the idea of going off to some faraway land. An adventure. Far away from Jeff and all of her worries.

Then he smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t divulge too much and you can go home when this is finished, but we need to be convincing as a couple. That’s worrying me some because we aren’t actually together. I have a feeling Magnar will be a dick about it because he’s a sadistic bastard.”

This was just great. “I’m sure we’ll manage. So, we need to share a room. I don’t see any couch. Will you be comfortable on the floor? Maybe we could take turns sleeping on the bed or something.” At least the carpet looked plush.

Cadon shook his head. “For all intents and purposes, you are my female. I am pretty sure Magnar still suspects we lied about that. We will need to be very convincing. Me sleeping on the floor would be a dead giveaway. We are sleeping together, holding hands, sharing kisses…we need to do what it takes to convince him. I only hope…” He let the sentence die.

“Only hope what?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it…if we come to it.”

She swallowed thickly. She was going to have to share a bed with him. It had to be a king-size, but with him on it, it didn’t look it. Not even close. He might not be human but he was a good guy, wasn’t he? Of course he was. He was going to all the trouble to keep her safe. Logic told her she could trust him. This had nothing to do with her gut, since she still didn’t trust herself when it came to that.

“Make sure you act natural around me. No flinching if I touch you or hold your hand.”

She nodded. The thought didn’t scare her half as much as it should. Cadon was a good-looking guy. He didn’t seem like a bad man. All of this subterfuge had been his way of trying to help her. He was still trying to help her. She needed to remember that. “Okay. I understand, and I am sure I will manage.”

He stood up. “Good.”

His jeans bulged in…that area. It was ridiculously obvious because he was packing and very erect. “You still haven’t told me about that.” She pointed at his erection again. The elephant in the room. The one she needed to address, especially if they were going to share a room. The way he’d looked at her earlier was with hunger and need. For a second he had scared her almost as much as Magnar.

“There isn’t much to tell.” Cadon shrugged.

“I don’t know so much, is it a Feral thing?” she asked.

“Human males get them, surely? Otherwise…” His frown deepened. “Human males do get erections, don’t they?”

She nodded. “Of course, yes! Only…” she made a face, “not during a fight. Not in that kind of a situation and…not for this long. I’m just trying to understand, although, I shouldn’t have said anything. Forget it.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “It has been a very long time since I saw a female in any state of undress.”

“Oh.” She felt her cheeks heat. How much had he seen of her? She was sure she’d managed to hold onto the towel and cover almost everything. The important parts were covered, as far as she knew. “Am I right in saying you have no women where you come from?”

He nodded. “That’s right. We used to, but they all died. Most of them at any rate.” He looked sad, his eyes clouded with…a memory maybe? Was there a specific someone he had lost?

“That’s terrible.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“Like I said, it has been a while and, I guess, I…I’m sorry, I don’t have much control over my body’s reaction. As you heard, we are instinctively drawn to mate and procreate. I’m sure things will go back to normal soon…I hope. You are safe though, I swear!” he quickly added.

“I understand.” She waved her hand. “No problem! It’s just one of those things. It’s not like you’re actually attracted to a pregnant woman or anything.” She remembered how Jeff had looked at her. His eyes held that look of disgust. Poor Cadon was so desperate after all these years that a bit of skin from just about anyone would have had the same effect.

“That’s where you are wrong.” Cadon cleared his throat. “There is nothing more attractive than a female swollen with child. You are the height of fertility. Like I said, all of our instincts are geared towards procreation. So, to respond to your comment, I am attracted to you, Kerry. You are a beautiful female.”

What?

This was coming as a bit of a shock.

“Oh!” Her mouth felt a bit dry all of a sudden. It wasn’t like that though. It couldn’t be.

“Don’t worry about it. You have nothing to fear and are safe with me. I won’t act on my attraction to you. You need to know that,” he looked down between his legs, “this might happen again. We will spend a lot of time together. We’ll have to pretend to be together, which would involve contact, sleeping in the same bed. Don’t be alarmed though. Just ignore it, please, and know that I am sorry.” He looked pained.

“It’s okay.” Her voice was a bit shrill. “It’s better we cleared this up. I’ll have a better understanding, of things.”

“I’m glad that’s out the way as well.”

“Moving on then,” she said. “Um…” Kerry held up her bag. “We have a bit of a problem though.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I only packed an overnight bag. Most of my things are still at my sister’s house. I planned on heading over there to pack properly. I have nothing to wear.”

“I need to address my males. I need to inform them of the situation and about us. I have a feeling Magnar will want to get started soon. It might have to wait.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t strike me as the patient type.”

“If he is focused on finding a female, he will leave you alone. Do you have enough to get by until tomorrow? You can borrow a shirt…whatever you need from me, since we are…together. It might even be more authentic that way.”

“Yes, I’ll get by until tomorrow.”

“Good,” Cadon said as he made his way to his closet. He opened it, grabbing a shirt, which he pulled over his head. “Help yourself to whatever you need.”

She nodded. “I’m fine for the moment.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Maybe I should stay holed up in here.” The thought of facing those creatures scared her half to death.

“No.” Cadon shook his head. “I can only protect you if you are at my side.”

That made sense. “Okay.” She nodded.

How did he keep this female safe? He couldn’t be in several places at once. Right now, he needed to brief his males. Yes, about the deal he had made with Magnar but also about pretending to be with Kerry. Magnar could not find out that the child was not his. Moreover that Kerry was not his. It was clear that the male wouldn’t hesitate to take her for himself.

Time to test her reactions to him before they were with the others. Cadon put his arm around Kerry and pulled her against him. Thankfully, she didn’t protest or try to pull away. If anything, she melted against him, fit at his side like she was made for him. That was crazy talk. Kerry was with child. A human child. Another male’s son. It didn’t matter that the male in question was out of the picture. Also, she was just playing along. Taking up the role and doing a good job of it.

What was happening to him?

His balls still felt achy and his prick was still semi-hard. He knew the answer. His hunger had reawakened. It sounded like more males would be affected. More than his king realized. Cadon was the second previously mated male to come into contact with human females and he too had been affected by them. He needed to get word to Leukos of The Fallen resurfacing, but also about this. Two out of two…chances were good it would happen to many of the males. His gut churned over the implications of that.

His king was wrong when he said that Talon was an isolated case. That it was not worth getting worried over. If the Fallen king got word of this…Dread continued to unfurl inside him. It could mean war. What was he saying? There would be war. One with blurred lines.

The Fallen king might no longer be considered fallen. The tables could turn and quickly.

“What is it?” Kerry asked.

“Nothing. Why?”

“You tensed up.”

“This whole situation. That’s all. You ready?” There were males everywhere. They were outnumbered at least three to one.

Kerry clutched at him, eyes wide. He couldn’t blame her. The Fallen males leered at her. Some of them licked their lips or sniffed as she walked past. One of the males cupped his prick and made a groaning noise. He needed to keep Kerry safe and find these males mates. It wouldn’t be easy, it might be damn near impossible, but it could be done. There was no other choice!

He snarled at one who tried to come in too close, nose twitching. Kerry whimpered.

“No one touches the female without my express permission.” Magnar was grinning. Loving every minute. “No one touches any of the males either. Cadon has been so kind as to offer to teach us how to win human females.”

“What?” Worth was propped up against the wall.

“…kidding me.” He caught the end of whatever Andy had said. The male lay on the ground where he had left him. Still too weak to move.

Zaire didn’t move either. His chest rose and fell slowly and evenly. He was still unconscious. His neck slashed open. At least the wound had stopped bleeding and looked to have started healing.

Orrick grunted, frowning heavily. Awake, despite the blood that oozed from the wound on his chest. Locke was also unconscious. He was snoring softly.

Cadon looked Worth head-on. “Magnar has threatened to take my female from me, to hurt her and our clutch should I—”

Magnar laughed. It was ear-splitting. He held his belly and went at it for a few long seconds.

Cadon had to grit his teeth.

The Fallen general finally turned serious. “I would never hurt the female. Take her as my own though?” He nodded. “Yes, I would, without hesitation.”

Worth was frowning, shaking his head. “But—”

“You will do no such thing.” Cadon tried to keep his voice even. “We have a deal and I intend to stick to my side of the bargain.”

“A deal?” Worth’s features were pinched. “Have you lost your mind?”

“It is something we will discuss. I had no choice.” He made his voice hard and steely. Wouldn’t hesitate to knock Worth the fuck out if he said anything he shouldn’t.

“There is always a choice,” Worth threw back.

“Not this time. I needed to keep Kerry safe. To keep you all safe.” He looked from one to the other.

“Don’t do us any favors,” Worth snorted. “I would gladly give up my life—”

“It is already done. I made a decision. One you will respect!” his voice boomed.

Worth pressed his lips together and dropped his gaze. Good!

Magnar clapped his hands together. “When do we begin? I know my males are eager to meet females.”

There were cheers all around.

“Not so fast. There are quite a few steps that need to be taken before we can—”

“Like what?” Magnar asked, frowning.

This was going to be tedious and painful. “Like finding clothing for all of you. No-one is permitted to leave this house without being fully clothed.” He pointed to his own attire.

Several males groaned. One grunted.

“Also,” Cadon went on. “You will need to go for haircuts. Shave those beards.”

“I like my face hair,” one of the males said.

“Okay, then a serious trim at the very least. I recommend watching plenty of television. You will learn about humans by watching them interact.”

“What is a television?” Hagan asked.

The device still hung next to the gaping hole in the wall. It might not work though after all the damage that had been done to the house. He found the remote behind the sofa and pushed the on button. “This is a television.” He changed the channel a couple of times. “You can watch movies and—” He had been channel surfing and stopped on a news bulletin that caught his eye. “What the…?”

Cadon turned it up. “It is believed that the group of men were either escaped inmates or…” the female paused and smiled, “that they were acting on a dare and that the whole thing was staged. Let’s face it, fourteen or fifteen naked men arriving at an upmarket restaurant, causing utter chaos and then leaving without a trace. It seems pretty far-fetched to me. Tracey Shrouder was at Hemmingways when the incident occurred.” The camera pulled back, revealing a second female.

The female had wide eyes and very red cheeks. She sucked in a breath and began talking, going at a mile a minute. “It was unbelievable! So, these guys walk in. Butt naked. I thought it was some kind of joke. I kept expecting someone to jump out and show us where the camera was hidden. They were all over six feet tall and packing some serious muscle. My second thought was that a bunch of strippers were in town and giving away a free performance. That they got the venue wrong.” She giggled. “Anyhow, one came up to me, even though I was having lunch with my husband. He walked right over and asked if…” Her cheeks turned even redder. “He invited me to have sex with him but used much cruder language than that. Apparently that’s what they all were doing. Approaching all the women, single or otherwise and…” She huffed out a breath, her eyes sparkling. “Inviting them to…you know.” She giggled. “My husband was none too happy. That’s when the guy picked up Stanley’s steak and bit a chunk out of it before dropping my poor hubby’s lunch on the floor.”

“What happened next?” The other female held an object in front of Tracey Shrouder’s mouth.

“The manager informed the group of guys that the police were on their way. He told them they had better leave. Poor guy, I could tell he was petrified. One of the guys growled at him and he peed his pants,” she whispered the last bit. “Not a word of a lie. Actual pee came—”

“What happened next?” the other female asked.

“They up and left. Gone! Just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “One of them jumped through the window instead of using the door. How crazy is that?” She widened her eyes. “It was like they disappeared into thin air.” Cadon switched the television off.

“You were gone all of a couple of hours and you made the news!”

“What is the news?” Magnar asked.

“That was the news.” Cadon watched as Magnar’s frown deepened. “Everyone has one of these in their house. Everyone watches it. It’ll be on social media as well.”

“What’s social media?” one of the other males asked.

Andy started laughing. He groaned after a few seconds, holding his arm. “And you thought you had your hands full with the five of us.” His voice was strained but Cadon could hear he was smiling.

This was no laughing matter. Not only were Kerry and his five teammates in danger, it seemed as if the whole human race might be in danger too. Those humans joked about something that had the potential to explode. They had no idea. He just needed to find that band of misfits mates, and as soon as possible. No pressure!