“Maddie,” Lola hissed. “Don’t be a brat. Just ride with the grumpy Shaman to the compound, and we’ll meet up back there.” She paused as she pulled out her phone. “Oh, and text your mom. The only thing I can come up with is that we decided on a last big hoorah before we start community college.” Lola tilted her head to the side. “I mean, we’re nineteen⁠—”

  “Which means we’re completely impulsive, emotional, and driven by our libidos,” Maddie finished for her.

  Lola pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I’m not telling my parents that I’m being ‘driven by my libido.’”

  “Why?” Maddie shrugged. “It’s actually true in your case.”

  Callon pulled Lola toward the elevator doors. He had a feeling if he didn’t separate them, they’d do this all night and then all the next day.

  “I’m reminding myself that I love you, Mads,” Lola called back to her friend.

  “I’ll text Katy’s dad,” Maddie replied.

  The elevator doors closed. Lola looked at Callon. “Why didn’t Wyatt and the others use the elevator?”

  “Some cats don’t like enclosed spaces. Especially ones they can’t see out of.”

  “Hmm,” she breathed out. “Makes sense.”

  He held her hand as they walked to the car, then opened her door. Lola buckled in and angled her body toward him. “Now tell me what in the ten kingdoms your father was talking about when he said I need to know how to shift.”

  Callon smirked. “Did you just use my world as a curse word?”

  “I did, and I will do more than that if you don’t start explaining stuff.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, but she suddenly reached over and slapped her hand over it. “Hold that thought. I gotta text the ’rents.”

  Callon nipped the soft flesh of her palm, causing her to squeak and pull her hand away.

  “No biting.” She scowled and focused on her phone.

  He chuckled as he pulled out onto the dark street. “One day you’ll change your tune.”

  Lola’s thumbs quickly moved across the screen as she typed out a text to her mom. She didn’t even bother to acknowledge Callon’s comment. Mostly because she had a feeling he wasn’t wrong, and that annoyed her. But worse, it made her feel exposed and vulnerable. She hit send and less than twenty seconds later, her phone rang.

  Lola took a deep breath and then let it out slowly before answering the phone. “Hi mom.” Her voice sounded tight even to her own ears.

  “Have you lost your ever-loving, pizza-fumes-saturated brain?” Andi rarely used the mom-voice since Lola became an adult. “You can’t just take off without talking to us first.”

  Lola bit her bottom lip as she considered the fact that she was going to have to lie to her parents. There was just no other option. Not unless she got Taras’s and Lyra’s permission to tell her parents the truth. But even then, how would they react? She’d like to think that her parents were open-minded and that they wouldn’t freak the hell out. No one was that open-minded.

  “Do you hear the words that are coming out of my mouth, Lola Ann Katz?” Her mother’s sharp tone snapped her from her thoughts.

  “Lola Ann Leo,” Callon rumbled softly from beside her.

  She shot him a glare. “Yes, Mom, I hear you.”

  “Then you are already turning your happy, hopping-into-a-car-with-a-guy-you’ve-known-for-less-than-a-fruit-fly’s-life-cycle-ass around. Aren’t you?” She ended the question on a high, chipper note that made Lola cringe.

  “Not exactly,” Lola said slowly. “Look, Mom, I know this is completely out of character for me.”

  “This is much more than that, Lo.” Mom’s voice softened a bit. “You’ve never done something to please a guy. Why on earth are you doing this now? You have plans for your life. This could mess those up.”

  Lola frowned. “What are you talking about? My plans aren’t changing just because I’m taking a little vacation. That’s ridiculous. And”—Lola held up a finger as if her mother could see her—“I’m nineteen. If I want to hop in the car with a guy and my best friends, I can do that. I need you to trust me.” And wasn’t that the kicker? Because they couldn’t trust her. Not when she was sitting there in that car lying through her ever-loving teeth.

  Andi went quiet. It was late, and Lola knew her mom had to be exhausted. She hated to add more stress to her parents’ lives. But her life had changed overnight, and now she had to adapt.

  “Well.” Her mother finally breathed out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. You can do what you want. I just hope you’ll be smart. Or smarter than you’re being right now. Please use protection. No matter what he says, he could still have some weird disease, especially if he’s the kind of guy who can get girls to drop everything and take a so-called road trip with him.”

  Lola sputtered. “Mom, what are… Good-freaking-grief. I’m not sleeping with him.”

  “I never said you were sleeping. I’d much prefer it if you were sleeping with him and not⁠—”

  “Okay.” Lola cut her mother off as her skin heated. “That’s enough of that, thank you very much.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ll be in touch so you know I haven’t been kidnapped, trafficked, or sold to the circus. Okay?”

  “Tell him to choose the circus if he does wind up being a psycho. At least then we’d get to see you every other year when they come through town.” Andi Katz was angry. She rarely spoke this way to Lola, her tone as biting as the winter chill in New York in January. “I love you, Lola. And if you need anything, like a plane ticket out of wherever the hell you are going, then you call us immediately. Promise?”

  “Of course.” She nodded. “I didn’t mean to make you angry or worried.”

  “I’m your mother, Lo. Worrying comes with the job description because I love you. Just—” She stopped, and Lola swore she could hear the tears in her mom’s voice. “Just promise to keep in touch.”

  “I will. I give you my word.” Which isn’t worth shit, by the way. Lola’s stomach twisted, and she thought she might puke at any moment. She ended the call and set the phone in her lap. Her hands trembled slightly, and she found herself squeezing them into fists.

  A much larger hand came down and completely covered hers. “It’s going to be okay, Sazzi,” Callon said gently. “I know you don’t like lying.”

  “You can feel it?” She looked down at his hand.

  “Yes.”

  “Can I tell them? I mean, once we get Katy back,” she said quickly. “Can I tell them about you so I don’t have to keep my life a secret from them?”

  “I will talk to my parents.” Callon patted her hands. “I’m not going to force you to choose between us, Lola. I would never ask that of you.”

  She believed him. And she was glad because she was almost certain she would choose him. And that would tear a piece of her soul out, knowing she’d discard her parents so easily for someone she just met. What kind of person did that make her?

  “It doesn’t make you a bad person.”

  “Dammit, I said that out loud.” She shook her head. She needed to invest in duct tape. Lots of it.

  “You are no longer human, Sazzi.” Callon’s voice filled the interior of the car, washing over her like a warm shower. He made her feel safe. He made her feel like everything was going to work out. “You’re soul is bonded with mine. I would walk through the fires of hell to get to you, and you would do the same for me. It doesn’t mean you don’t care about other people, like your parents. It simply means that we are committed to each other first. And sometimes that’s going to mean I need to step back and let you have time with your parents.”

  “Why do you sound like that’s the most horrific thought in the world?” She glanced away from their hands to his face.

  “Because I’ll have to be away from you.”

  Lola made an O with her lips. “It really bothers you to leave me, doesn’t it?”

  Callon’s chest rumbled with the growly sound of his beast. “You have no idea.”

  “Well, considering I can feel waves of frustration running off you, which also seems to be sucking all the oxygen out of this car, I do have a little bit of an idea. Could you tone it down?” Lola’s brow rose as she watched him attempt to get control of his emotions.

  “I’ve never struggled with my control until you.” Callon didn’t sound particularly happy about it.

  Lola tried to pull her hands out from under his, but Callon wasn’t having it. He just held on tighter—not enough to cause any pain, but enough to let her know he had no plans to give her any space. “I’m sorry I make you lose control.” She tried hard to keep the hurt from her voice.

  “I’m not. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My beast and I will learn to keep our crap together. But can I ask something of you?”

  Lola glanced at him and nodded.

  “Be patient with us.” Callon ran a thumb across the top of her hand. The touch was so gentle, a complete contrast to the beast who’d stood in her room ready to kill for her. “We’re going to get it wrong a lot more than we get it right.”

  Chapter 4

  He Didn’t Really Like Anyone.

  “We used to inhabit a dark and tumultuous world, dreaming that if we moved to another place, it would be different. But all we succeeded in doing was bringing the darkness along with us.” ~Gage

  Gage knocked on the door to the Alpha’s office but didn’t wait for a response before he pushed open the double doors—ostentatious doors, in Gage’s opinion—and strode in. The man who’d led their kingdom for as long as Gage could remember stood in the center of the room, his phone held to his ear.

  “How long have you known?” Nox growled as fur rippled across his chest and arms.

  Wolves’ body temperatures ran hot, so they only wore shirts when it was deemed socially inappropriate not to—though Gage himself gave slightly less than two piles of feces about what was socially appropriate. His long, black trench coat covered enough of his body. He didn’t need a damn shirt just to make others feel more comfortable with his presence.

  The Alpha’s chest rumbled with a deep sound as his eyes began to shift to his wolf’s shape. Gage hesitated. Something was seriously pissing Nox off if he was losing control of his beast. Gage tried to listen in on the conversation, but Nox had a mechanism installed on his phone that made it nearly impossible for even supernatural ears to hear. So instead of being able to glean the information through eavesdropping, he’d have to wait and see if the Alpha would feel inclined to share. He might not. There was no love lost between the pair. Gage wouldn’t be shocked if Nox told him to jump off a cliff rather than let him know what was going on.

  “No,” Nox gritted out. “There is no negotiating concerning mates. You know this, Taras.”

  Ahh, the Kingdom of Claws. Maybe some males were fighting over a female. Wouldn’t be the first time.

  “I understand that discretion is needed. Of course, I know that leading my pack into New Orleans would cause Azure to be suspicious. When is the serpentine ass not suspicious?”

  Good point.

  Nox ran a hand through his hair, mussing the strands, making it stand on end. “When exactly was she taken?”

  Gage’s wolf perked up. So, not two wolves fighting over a female. This was more interesting, and squarely within his line of work.

  “It’s been three hours, Prime. Again, why did it take so long for you to notify me?” Nox listened as his eyes narrowed on Gage. He held the Alpha’s stare. Gage probably should at least put forth the effort of submission, considering how flustered Nox was. But Gage wasn’t just any wolf. He was the only one in the kingdom that could hold the gaze of the Alpha. Finally, both of them looked away at the same time. Gage had no desire to rule. He wouldn’t challenge Nox. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t annoy the hell out of him any time he got the opportunity.

  “Does she know what she is? How did you find her?” Pause, and then a small chuckle. “Sounds like she’ll fit right into the pack. Her friend will have to wait. I don’t care whose mate she is. You’re no longer calling the shots on this mission.” Nox let out a vicious snarl. “And if it was one of yours? How would you feel?” There were few moments of silence. “Exactly.”

  Nox ended the call and gripped the phone so tight in his fist it was a wonder the device didn’t break. He closed his eyes, and Gage knew the Alpha was gathering himself and getting his beast under control. There was no shame in it. Even Gage lost control, though it was extremely rare.

  “I called you back in a fortnight ago,” Nox snapped. Apparently, his beast wasn’t completely leashed.

  “Don’t you mean ‘two weeks,’ old man?” Any time Nox got angry, he reverted to the old language, and usually it was in their own tongue. But he had enough sense about him to speak English—for the moment.

  “Don’t be an ass.” Nox walked over to his desk and sat down on the edge. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, the phone still gripped tightly in one hand.

  “I take it you just got bad news?” Gage nodded toward the phone.

  Nox took a deep breath and then blew it out. “Now you’re just being purposefully obtuse.”

  Gage stood there, quietly, patiently, letting his Alpha gather his thoughts. Though Gage didn’t particularly like Nox—he didn’t really like anyone—it wasn’t something the Alpha had done to earn Gage’s ire. He just didn’t have much use for people—beastwalkers or human. He did what was asked of him because he was good at it, and it gave him a purpose, which was really the only thing keeping him from going to meet his Maker.

  Nox let out a long breath. “An animus has been abducted by some members of KOV. Turns out, she’s got a wolf tattoo.”

  Gage shrugged. “So? What’s a wolf tattoo got to do with anything? She could be a mate to any member of any kingdom. She isn’t any more special than the other animi I’ve come across in Azure’s clutches.”

  Nox narrowed his wolf eyes on him. “If you’d have come back when I ordered, then you’d know that it matters big time.” He sighed and uncrossed his arms. “Visata appeared to the Shaman.”

  Gage’s interest was piqued at the mention of the Creator. “What did He have to say?” It seemed like ages since Visata had made an appearance to their holy men. Gage had begun to wonder if He’d forsaken them after they destroyed the original world He’d given them.

  Nox’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his arms flexing. “He said the rules have changed. As punishment for the abduction of the animi females, He’s changed the rules of how we mate. We can no longer court any animi at will. Our males now have predestined mates—one animus meant only for them. Their markings will match that of the male they are meant for.”

  Understanding dawned on Gage. “So this female who was taken…”

  “Bears the mark of the Kingdom of Fangs,” Nox finished with a growl. “Which means she belongs to one of my beasts.” His eyes began glowing again, rage simmering just beneath the surface.

  “How can you be sure the tattoo wasn’t just a coincidence? Wolves are a popular tattoo. Did a Shaman confirm she was an animus?”

  Nox shot him a withering look. “They wouldn’t have taken her if she was simply human.”

  Gage held up his hands in mock surrender, no doubt irritating the Alpha further. “I’m just trying to understand the situation.” He didn’t mention that Nox was dead wrong. Azure was most definitely taking humans, but Gage wanted to know more before he passed that information on to his Alpha. He still hadn’t figured out what the human females were for.

  With visible effort, Nox reined in his temper. “Now you see why I called you back. Your skills are needed, Dire.” The Alpha used the word with conviction and respect. A dire wolf was no ordinary wolf. It was why Gage could hold Nox’s gaze without feeling the need to submit. But it also meant he didn’t feel the need to be dominate over Nox or any other wolf or member of his kingdom. A long time ago, the dire wolves had been the protectors of the Shaman. Blessed by Visata with more strength, endurance, and magic than any other Damarians. But that was before the wars. Before… He shoved the memories away. Now was not the time to take a stroll down nightmare avenue.

  “The Kingdom of Venom has stolen what rightfully belongs to us.” Nox’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  Gage understood the gravity of the situation. An animus destined for their pack was no small thing, especially if she was destined for one male. She was the only chance the male had at being whole, in more ways than one. “How hard are you fighting the instinct to lead a raid into the viper’s nest?”

  Nox’s lips curved into a ruthless smile. “Who says I’m not planning just that?”

  “You’re smarter than that.”

  “Don’t you know?” Nox tilted his head in a wolf-like manner. “We do stupid things for females.”

  A rare chuckle rumbled in Gage’s chest. “Then it’s a good thing I’m the one you’re sending after this little wolf.”

  “Ahh, that’s right.” The Alpha sighed. “The dire wolf with the heart of stone. Untouchable by even the gentlest soul.”

  Gage swallowed down a growl and rolled his neck, his head moving in a circle as he loosened up a knot of growing tension. “I don’t need a female, and if I did, she certainly wouldn’t be a gentle one.”

  “That’s probably a good thing, then.” Nox pushed away from his desk. “Callon’s new mate is the best friend of our captured animus, and she told Taras to warn us that the girl wouldn’t go down without taking at least a few people with her.” He narrowed his eyes at Gage. “You’ll be undercover, so she’s not going to know she can trust you, at least not until you’re sure you can get her out. So keep your appendages away from her mouth, or she might bite them off.”

  A smirk slid onto Gage’s face. “Noted. I’m taking the pack plane this time. She’s got a head start on me.” Would it be a female that was finally a worthy challenge? The dire wolf in him perked up. The games were about to begin. And no matter the game, he never lost.