“Hey. We’ll figure out how to get the cure out of you, Snow. Trust me, okay?” I reach over to grab her hand in mine, and she sighs at the contact, making my heart literally flutter in my chest.

  Maia looks into my eyes. “It still won’t tell us who took my blood, though.” She looks back at Rylee and Bree. “Do you two have any guesses?”

  Bree practically growls, which surprises me. “Whoever the hell thought they could betray us better watch out, that’s for sure.”

  I look into the rearview mirror and catch Rylee’s widened eyes. She’s younger than the rest of us, and has had to run too much already. I hate that we’re dragging her into yet another dangerous trip.

  “You can stay here with my pack, Rylee. You’d be safe and protected with Nate and Lydia.”

  Rylee’s face lights up and she shakes her head, all fear gone in an instant. “I’m not afraid of a little adventure, Seth. This will be fun.”

  Maia scoffs and turns back to stare out the front window. “I don’t know about fun, but if this road trip is anything like the last, it definitely won’t be boring.”

  I start the Jeep, and it rumbles to life. I pull out onto the long dirt road that leaves the pack lands, with Horas’ headlights shining behind us. We’re only a mile away from Nate’s cabin when a figure jumps into the road, causing me to slam on my breaks.

  “What the hell was that?” I shout. “That wasn’t human or wolf. Stay here.”

  I’m about to jump out and investigate, but Maia’s door swings open, and all of us snap our heads in that direction.

  Maia’s almost-scream falls immediately. “James!”

  “Mind picking up a hitch-hiker? I really hope I didn’t come all this way to hang out with a wolf pack.” The infuriating British vampire is smiling down at my Maia, with a wicked gleam in his dark eyes. “Hello, love.”

  Damn vampire.

  ♢♢♢

  Maia

  James smiles at me, and not thinking, I immediately wrap my arms around him. A low growl echoes in the jeep, and I release James like I had just been burned. Crap!

  I almost forgot about my incredibly possessive alpha-wolf. My wolf. I spin around to eye Seth disapprovingly. “You stop that right now, Seth Lowell. We don’t need another fight before the trip even begins.”

  Seth’s glare fades, but I can still see the darkness in his irises, threatening to turn black. “We don’t need a bloodsucker either..” he mumbles under his breath, but I pretend not to hear it. Damn stubborn sexy wolf.

  James chuckles and I’m reminded about his little mind-reading trick. “Hey! If you want to come with us, stay out of our heads!”

  James holds both of his hands up and has the audacity to look shocked. “I would never! I can’t read the little witch's mind, so why don’t I sit beside her?” He peers into the back seat over my shoulder. “What do ye say, Bree? It has been some time.”

  My eyes fly wide and I turn around to Bree. “He can’t hear your thoughts? How?”

  To my surprise, Bree’s face flushes pink and she shrugs, avoiding James’ gaze. “I think it’s my grandma’s protection spell over her descendants. It protects my mind as well as my body.”

  “Wow.” I can’t help but be a little jealous of that power. “Do you mind letting James squeeze in back there? Rylee?” I ask them both.

  Rylee looks really uncomfortable, and doesn’t look toward James, but she shrugs. “Whatever.”

  Strange.

  “James?” Wilk’s voice breaks into the darkness behind James. “Why would you be all the way out here, my friend?”

  My friend?

  James turns with a happy smile toward Wilk. “I found a little witch in my woods once, then a very strange hybrid lass. Consider me intrigued.”

  I shove him. “Hey! I’m not strange! And how do you two even know each other?”

  “The faeries have lived in and out of Maine for a hundred years. We have come to a truce, and even a friendship.”

  Wilk laughs and pats James on the shoulder. “Definitely a friendship. I am glad we are stopped for you, and not another rogue wolf attack. Will you be joining us?”

  Seth answers for everyone, less than enthusiastic. “Sounds like it. Can we skip the reunions and get on the road now?”

  Wilk’s bright green eyes widen in the dark slightly, but he simply nods and hurries back to the other car. “We will be right behind you.”

  Clearly, he doesn’t want to get on the dark side of Seth’s temper. Something wild inside of me wants to calm his rage in whatever way I can, or stoke the flames and see how far I can push him. I press down my psycho wolf side and gesture for James to get in the back, while he grins like a kid in a candy store.

  I bet he’s loving my inner struggle, and whatever is happening inside Seth’s angry head. I glare back at James once more, but I find him taking a long and hungry look at Bree while she stares out the window.

  If you eat my best friend, I will have to take extreme measures with your life, vampire.

  James snaps his dark eyes to me and his smile only stretches. He nods once in acknowledgement of my threat, but doesn’t respond to me.

  I reach my hand out to Seth’s as he drives with a death grip on the stealing wheel. He releases a long breath when his fingers curl around mine, and I wish I could hear what’s happening in his gorgeous head. Whatever he’s thinking, I just hope he’s not worried about James and I.

  Clearly, James has his thoughts on someone else.

  Chapter 25

  ⟣⟡⟢

  Maia

  “Are we there yet?” James whines from the backseat of the car like a toddler.

  Bree scoffs and shoves him playfully. “You act like you’ve never been on a car trip before! We’ve only been driving for five hours.”

  James groans and wiggles uncomfortably. It’s thrilling to see him as the uncomfortable one for once, and I can’t help but smile. “I have never sat in the backseat of a vehicle in my existence, and as you know, I have lived in the woods for many years. As much as I enjoy our bodies touching for hours on end, little witch, I am incredibly antsy.”

  Bree’s eyes widen and a new blush stains her cheek. “Oh, for hell’s sake, James. Don’t say things like that!”

  James smiles and I catch Rylee rolling her eyes. She’s not a fan of the vamp so far, and I wonder what the foxes think of James’ kind. It’s not like our little group is exactly orthodox, so I can understand how difficult it must be for them all to get along, especially being so close to each other.

  I turn toward Seth. “Maybe we all do need some space for a few hours, Seth. We’ve got three wild wolves, two faeries, a fox, and a vamp that are all used to the openness of the forest. Probably best to take a breather.”

  Seth nods. “I think you’re right. I’ll find the next motel and we can sleep for the rest of the morning, just until the sun is out.”

  We’ve been driving in the dark from the pack lands in Vermont and we’re nearing New Jersey. I’ve always wanted to explore this area, especially New York City, but Dad never took me. He said the big cities were too dangerous for a young pretty girl. More like they’re too dangerous for a young cure-carrying vessel, right Dad?

  Seth takes us off the freeway and parks at a small but clean hotel just outside the city. “I’ll run in and see if they have a couple rooms.” He looks back at James and sighs, seemingly defeated. “One for the guys, and one for the girls.”

  “Can’t wait to get to know you better, mate,” James speaks from the backseat, and I want to turn around and punch him for his sarcastic tone.

  Seth’s eyes fall on me, and the corners of his lips lift slightly. Before I know it, he swoops back into the car to press his warm lips against mine, claiming my mouth as his for the whole carload to see. As much as I want to deny his show of masculine assery, my whole body heats up from his kiss.

  I hold back the moan that wants to leave my throat, and Seth pulls away with dark eyes. He licks the taste of me off his lips before winking and leaving with a hop in his step to get our rooms.

  Damn, why does he have to be so sexy?

  “Well, love. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the wolf has found his mate.” James raises a single eyebrow in my direction.

  Bree looks up at James. “Do you think their wolves could be fated for one another?”

  He shrugs. “Without knowing if Maia even has a wolf, there is no way to tell. Their thoughts are incredibly possessive for just two creatures in love, though. I feel fervently warned to stay clear of his property.”

  “Hey!” I shout back at him. “First of all, I’m right here, so stop talking about me! Secondly, I am nobody’s property.” I give Bree a pointed look, hoping she’ll back me up.

  Bree looks apologetic as she responds. “Sorry, hon. Wolf love is a little possessive. Seth likely sees you as his property, even though it’s his wolf and not his conscious mind. But, in the same way, he’d be more than happy for you to see him the same way.”

  I scrunch up my nose. This is so weird. I look at Rylee who has been strangely quiet. “Is it the same for foxes?”

  She nods. “Yup. Seth practically just peed all over you for the world to see. If you were a wolf, you’d feel pretty damn lucky right now.”

  My mouth falls open. “Eww! Why’d you have to say it like that?”

  She smiles slightly for the first time during this trip, but when she looks up at James she hurries and looks back out the window with a frown. James’ eyebrows press together and his head tilts to the side as he watches Rylee. He seems confused by her, and I hope they can become friends despite their differences. If Bree and the faeries can do it, so can they.

  A knock at my window makes me jump, but my fear quickly settles when I spot Qadira staring at me through the glass. I open the door and climb out with the rest of our party.

  “Did you have a nice drive, Dira? The wolves are being nice, right?”

  She smiles at me, flipping her long pink locks over one shoulder. “It was lovely, Maia. Prince Wilk and Horas had us laughing throughout the journey.”

  A small pink hue brightens her cheeks, matching the color of her eyes, and I grin out of happiness for my beautiful friend. “Fun. All we got was a complaining vampire.”

  Qadira giggles, and the others gather around us as Seth returns from the building. He hands me a flimsy plastic key card, and holds one of his own.

  “Okay,” he says, taking charge as our pack alpha. “I got us two of the largest rooms they offer. There are three queen beds in each. Maia, Qadira, Bree, Rylee, and Sasha will take room 24, while Horas, Wilk, James, and I will claim the adjoining room.”

  All of us look around uncomfortably, except for Wilk. He practically hops as he snatches the key card from Seth’s hand. “I am wonderfully excited. I have never slept in a hotel before.”

  “I’ll take one of the queen beds. The rest of you can share.” Sasha clicks her tongue and saunters off toward the long wall of doors, hips shaking in her skin-tight black leggings.

  Horas makes a low whistling sound as he stares at Sasha’s round hips, and Bree takes it upon herself to punch him in one of his massive arms. My eyes flick up to Seth, and unlike his pack mate, he’s only looking at me.

  Oh, he’s too good.

  “Hey, Snow. Do you mind if we have a walk while the others settle into the rooms?”

  Walk alone in the dark with Seth? Yes, please.

  I nod. “Sure.” I hold out the key card for Bree. “I’ll be there in a minute. Save me a spot before Sasha decides to push the beds together and make herself one mega bed.”

  James hurries and snatches the card before Bree can get it. “Sorry, little witch. You’ll have to catch me first.”

  James grins wickedly and takes off in a run, but not fast enough. Bree throws up an invisible wall that James runs head first into with a crack, making him fall onto the asphalt.

  Horas laughs so loud that it echoes in the dark parking lot, and all of the others join in with their own snickering. Even James laughs from the ground, as Bree stands over him with her hand out for the key card.

  I miss what happens next, because I’m lifted off the ground and cradled in Seth’s arms. I gasp, and I look up into his dark brown eyes. “You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet, wolf boy.”

  He playfully growls at me as he carries me away from the others. “You haven’t seen anything yet, Snow.”

  ♢♢♢

  Seth

  I carry Maia to the back of the small hotel outside New Jersey. I need a place where I can breathe in her scent, and hear only her heart beating. Being stuck in my jeep with the others is torture when I know that Maia loves me.

  At least, I hope she still loves me now that James is here. I set Maia on her feet, and cage her between my arms as I lean against the brick wall of the building. It’s dark here, but I can see every detail of her with ease.

  My wolf whines inside of me, wanting to smell her, or even taste her. I lean my head forward and breathe in Maia’s zesty scent. She smells like an orange grove after a long rainfall. Perfectly sweet and earthy.

  “Are you smelling me, Seth?” The humor in her tone has me smiling as I lean back and look into her hazel eyes.

  “Is that strange to you, Snow?” It probably is. Scents are important in shifter culture, but not so much with humans.

  Maia reaches her hands up to rest against my pecs. I can feel the warmth of her skin through my t-shirt. “It’s not really strange. I’ve just never thought much about the importance of a person’s scent.”

  I lift my chin to her in complete submission. Exposing one’s neck is dangerous for wolves. It’s an easy kill spot, but all I want is for Maia to bite into the flesh there. Hell, I’m an absolute maniac.

  “Go ahead. Take a whiff and tell me what you think.”

  Maia giggles softly, and I can hear the thumping of her heart speed up as she leans into my neck. “I don’t have your senses, but I’ll give it a go.” Her hot breath fans my neck and I hold back the shiver that wants to ripple through me.

  Maia’s nose touches my skin, just beside my Adam’s apple, and she breathes in deep as she slides her nose along the skin of my exposed neck. “Mmmm,” she moans as she smells me, and every muscle in my body tightens.

  “I’d say… pine trees and sunshine.” Her lips just barely press against my racing pulse in a feather light kiss. “Perfect,” she whispers, and I’m undone.

  I think my wolf growls inside of me as I grip Maia’s thighs and hoist her onto my hips, pressing her back against the cold brick. She gasps, and her hands tangle into my hair, tugging hard as she scrambles to keep herself against me.

  I don’t wait for her permission. I press my lips against hers, and she kisses me back with just as much eagerness. Her teeth graze my skin and she sucks my bottom lip into her mouth. I’m more aware than I ever have been of the wild animal inside of me.

  I press Maia harder against the wall, using it to support her as my hands explore her hips, sliding just barely under the bottom of her shirt until I feel her skin at my fingertips. I crave every part of her, and it almost hurts to keep myself from pushing her too far.

  Maia’s hands slide back to my chest and travel over my abdomen, making me suck in a sharp breath at the incredible sensation. She tugs at my shirt and dips her hands under the fabric to touch my skin as I did to her. She groans against my mouth, kissing me fast and hard.

  If I could imagine tasting heaven, Maia taking control of my body would be it. I once thought she was delicate and weak, only human, but this assertive and possessive side of her is all alpha wolf. My wolf.

  Maia tries to lift my shirt higher, but I reluctantly stop her as I take both of her small hands in one of mine, and slip my other one under her thighs again. She’s trapped in my arms, and as much as I want her here like this, it will have to wait.

  I lean my head back, breathing heavy as I scan her hooded eyes and heated cheeks. “You are so damn beautiful, Snow.”

  She licks her lips and smiles shyly up at me. “Then why’d you stop kissing me?”

  Good question.

  I laugh and slowly set her back on her feet, but stay as close to her body as possible. “You see, I’d be more than happy to never stop kissing you, and frankly to claim your body as mine right here in the dark behind this sketchy hotel… even if the cure took my life for doing so.”

  The reminder of the shifter cure has her smile falling. “Seth…”

  I shake my head, not wanting her to feel bad anymore. “But, even as I am willing to die for the chance of pure happiness with you, I’m not willing to put the burden of my death on your head, and surely not on your heart.”

  I lay a hand against her chest, feeling the rapid beat beneath the surface. I’d do anything to protect that heart.

  Maia closes her eyes briefly and breathes out a long breath. “I understand. We just need to get to the high priestess and see if she can remove the cure.” She gazes up at me through long lashes. “Then you will be all mine, Seth Lowell.”

  Holy hell, that’s hot.

  “What about the others? Without the cure, you won’t need all of this protection. I mean, I’m fine with taking James out of the picture, for sure…”

  She shoves my chest playfully. “Don’t hate James. The only reason he ever kissed me was to help me get you jealous enough to make a move. He could see that you were on my mind even then.”

  I can’t help but smile, and I’m sure it looks every bit as arrogant as I feel. I never thought I’d want to talk about that kiss again, but I love that it wasn’t more than just a show by the crazy vampire. Maybe I actually like the guy.

  Maia scoffs and shoves me again, not even moving me an inch. “Stop that silly grinning, wolf boy, and if I ever see you acting all jealous again, I’ll have to kick your ass.”