I scoop up my cat and nuzzle into her neck. I need the comfort her purring gives me as it vibrates against my chest. When the doorbell rings, I shut Snowflake in the bathroom so she won’t attack another werewolf, and I open up to Mia. My friend rocks the sexy schoolgirl look with a style all her own, because in addition to the leggings and pleated skirt, she has a brain to go with them. The moment the door snicks shut behind her she asks, “Are you in trouble?”

  “We all are. Come sit.”

  Mia became a werewolf when she discovered Ekton was her true mate, and once we settle in on the couch I study her appearance. She hasn’t changed much except that she’s not wearing her glasses, and I guess vision is something becoming a werewolf can fix. I say, “Dr. Sand has a new plan.” I stop and regroup. “Let me start at the beginning. Esher Wakefield injected a vial of his blood into my veins seven years ago to cure me of leukemia, but now it’s back.”

  Mia’s eyes widen. “Wow.” She frowns as she places her hand on my arm. The werewolf heat of her is hot enough that it burns through my shirt quickly.

  “I can’t think about me right now. I’m sure your mind is racing with this news on so many fronts, and I promise I’ll answer all your questions, but we have something way more important to discuss. Dr. Sand knows about my cancer and has plans to capture Silver Lake wolves and test their blood on me.”

  “Oh my god. Does she—”

  “No,” I say. “She doesn’t know that I’ve already had werewolf blood in my system.”

  “Good. So what’s her plan?”

  Mia is aware that the government signed off on Dr. Sand, so I explain to her the doctor’s new approach using private funding. When I’m done, Mia is the one who paces in an effort to control her anger. She says, “You have to get out of there, Andi. Once we get you more werewolf blood she’s bound to figure out what you’ve done.” She stops moving to look at me. “Do you have a draw kit here?”

  “No.” Realization hits me. “Oh, Mia. Were you going to give me your blood?”

  “Of course, if you think it will work.”

  I shrug. “That’s the thing. We don’t even know if Esher’s will work again, but we’re going to try tonight.”

  “Okay, good. What can I do?”

  “Tell your alpha what I’ve told you. Dr. Sand said it would be next week before they go after the wolves, and that will give you time to prepare.”

  “Okay. I’ll go see Paul, our alpha.” The couch sinks when she sits next to me. “How do you know my mate’s older brother?”

  “He was my boyfriend in college.”

  She frowns for a second, and then her mouth opens a bit before she says, “You’re the one.”

  Now it’s my turn to frown as hot shame floods my face. “I know. I’m the reason the wolves are in danger.”

  Mia shakes her head as she says, “No. That’s not what I meant.” She stands and says, “I should go to Paul. But before I do, you have to promise me you won’t return to the lab, Andi. It’s not safe, even for you.”

  I answer automatically, “Yeah, sure.” I’m the one? The one what? What exactly am I to Esher?

  Eight

  When Mia leaves, I’m so tired I lie down for a nap. But I don’t sleep as well as I had hoped, because my dreams are about wolves in cages, and I finally get up for a long, hot bath instead. The light floral scent of the salts I pour in float to my nose, and I lower myself into the warm water. My muscles relax as reality sinks in. I could die. And with that reality the tears come.

  At first I cry because my life might be over, and I’ll never get married or be a mother. But that makes way to the idea that my career was ruined by Dr. Sand, and that after all I’ve done to fix my mistake, I may not be able to save the Silver Lake wolves after all. By the time my bath is cold, I’m a snotty mess, but I clean up and climb out with the relief a good cry can lend.

  Even though my life is falling apart, I can’t help but be excited that I’m going to spend my evening with Esher. The slinky fabric of a light knit dress caresses my skin as I pull it on, and I smile at my reflection in the mirror when I sweep my hair up into a tousled-looking updo. I hope it makes the sexy werewolf want to thread his fingers through it.

  Fifteen minutes later I turn onto the dirt road that leads to Esher’s house on Silver Lake. I descend down a hill and enjoy a beautiful view of the water as I drive. A dock extends in an L shape, and a small motorboat is next to it. Esher must have heard me pull in, because he steps through the door before I get to it.

  I pick my way carefully across the gravel because of my heels, and Esher smiles as he comes to meet me. I say, “I brought dessert.” He takes the box from me and grabs my hand. As expected, his touch sends warmth all the way to the pit of my belly. The faint scent of a woodsy soap wraps around me. Esher says, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks.” I give him the once-over and take in the way his button-down shirt is rolled up to the elbows to expose his powerful forearms and how his slacks accentuate slim hips. “Dress clothes suit you.”

  “Yeah?” He flashes his sexy smile, and I melt a little more. He says, “I just got home and didn’t have a chance to change.” We walk through an entryway to the kitchen. The cabinets and walls are white, while the countertops are blue. Beyond the breakfast bar is the living room, and it too is bright and cheery.

  “What a beautiful home. Is there anything I can help you do?”

  “Not a thing.” A stool scrapes across the floor as he pulls it out for me. “Sit here and keep me company while I make dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “I need to tell you something.” Esher holds the knife he picked up in midair, and I say, “Mia already knows what I’m about to say and has passed along the information to your alpha.” He lowers his hand as I continue, “Dr. Sand is aware that I’m sick, and she’s managed private funding for a mission to capture wolves in hopes they’re werewolves and their blood will cure me.”

  He frowns. “She’s trying to save you?”

  “Not exactly. She thinks she’s found the perfect test subject for her plan.”

  The knife clatters on the counter when he sets it down. “You can’t go back there, Andi.”

  “So people keep telling me. But don’t you see? I can do what I do best—mess things up.”

  “No. It’s too dangerous.” Esher comes around to where I’m sitting. He sits on the stool beside me as I turn to face him.

  “But—”

  He grips my shoulders lightly. “Please. I’ve finally got you back in my life, and I don’t want to lose you again.”

  I gaze into the face of the man that captured my heart years ago. I place my hand on his chest and say, “I feel so helpless.”

  He says, “Let me help you for a change.”

  I pull my hand back. It shouldn’t be so hard to accept the help I need. Without Esher’s blood, I don’t stand a chance and my days with him will be few. But if I do take it? Then I may get a lifetime to make things up to him. To win back his love.

  I look into the eyes that drew me in from day one. “Okay.”

  “Great. Let’s get my blood in you before dinner. I want plenty of time to make sure you’re not going to reject it.”

  I nod when he stands and says, “I’ll be right back.”

  He walks over to a bag by the door. The contents rattle as he searches for the blood draw kit. When he finds it, Esher says, “Come sit on the couch where we’ll be more comfortable.”

  I lower myself onto a plush cushion that hugs my bottom, and I imagine it’s a great sofa for napping. Esher sets out the equipment on the coffee table, and I pick up the tourniquet. “Should I do this for you?” The vinyl strip shakes with my trembling as I lift it.

  He sits next to me and takes my face in his hands. “I’m not going to let you die, Andi.”

  I nod, and he kisses me roughly before he begins to unbutton his shirt. I guess it’s so he won’t stain it, but I’m more interested in what it reveals. When he’s done, I loop the tourniquet around his upper arm and yank it tight. Esher sticks himself with ease. I watch deep-burgundy liquid fill a test tube. The fluid that may save my life.

  When it’s my turn to receive his blood I kiss him and say, “I don’t deserve you, but I’m so glad you don’t care.”

  His gaze is intense as he says, “You’re wrong, Andi. I care deeply.”

  The needle pricks my skin, and when liquid life enters my vein it spreads the familiar warmth of my savior up my arm and straight to my heart. I love you, Esher.

  Esher smiles at me, and I imagine he says “I love you too” before he focuses on removing the needle from my arm. Esher applies pressure to the wound as he lessens the tourniquet. I grasp his hand and say, “Thank you.” I don’t release my grip right away, because this time I’m not letting him go.

  Nine

  After Esher gave me his blood, I sat at the counter while he made us pasta. We laughed about old times and shared stories from the years that have passed since. We move over to the couch to eat our carrot cake. I gaze out the windows that overlook the lake. The moon is almost full, and it shimmers on the calm water. I say, “You must love this view.”

  “I do. I’m glad I finally get to share it with you.” The heat of Esher’s thigh pressed up next to mine makes me lean into him for more. He slips his arm around my shoulders. “I’ve thought about having you here like this many times, but I was afraid you’d never come back to me. Lately I’d begun to give up hope.”

  “What do you mean come back to you?”

  “I said awful things, Andi. You had to have hated me.”

  I twist so I face him and say, “No. I never hated you. I hated myself for what I set into motion.” I recall the many nights I worried about Esher and the Silver Lake wolves. I was diligent about making sure nothing that could implicate them ever made it out of my lab. I place my hand on his chest, and the ridges of his pectorals are firm under my palm. “I didn’t dare travel in your circles and let there be a connection between us. I also didn’t want to impose on your life, because I was sure you were happier without me.”

  He smiles at me. “I’ll never be happy without you, Andi.”

  I drop my gaze to his mouth and long to savor the taste of his soft lips. I say, “We’ve wasted too much time.” I kiss Esher, and he cups my head with one hand as the other moves to my lower back. I moan when his tongue darts in my mouth, and I taste the sweet flavor of cake mixed with the man I love.

  I want to feel the weight of him on me, and I lean back to lower us to a reclining position on the couch. Having kicked off my shoes earlier, I don’t hesitate to swing my legs up onto the sofa and spread my thighs so he’ll settle between them. He moans when he presses his groin against me, and the bulge of his erection is hard on my stomach.

  Esher breaks free from my mouth to move to my neck, and the starched cotton of his shirt is stiff in my hands as I pull to untuck it from his pants. He arches under my touch when my hands slide over his smooth skin and the sinewy muscles of his back. “Oh, Andi.”

  “Esher, I want to be with you.”

  He lifts up, and his eyelids are heavy as he speaks in a husky voice. “I want you too.” He stands and offers his hand to help me up. I follow silently as he leads me down a hallway to his bedroom. The light is dim when we enter, and he yanks open the curtains to a large picture window to let the moonlight in. When he turns to me he’s a silhouette, but Esher’s eyes glisten, and I reach for the hem of my dress to pull it over my head. The fabric thumps softly on the floor when I drop it, and he lets out a low growling noise that I suspect is his wolf.

  The metal of his belt buckle clinks as he undoes his pants and strips for me, so I continue with my bra and panties until I’m completely bare. A tiny shiver runs through me as my breathing becomes heavy, and I release my hair so that it falls around my shoulders. Esher steps toward me and says, “You are even more gorgeous than I remember.” He places a hand on my breast as he tugs me close with his fingers on my bottom. The moment the skin of our bodies connects, I swear my insides ignite, and I let out a small cry when he lowers his mouth to suck on my nipple.

  My hands are on his firm butt, and I place the junction between my legs over his thigh as I pant with need. I reach for his cock, and smooth skin is hot in my hand as I grip him and stroke the thick length. I say, “There’s so much I want to do with you, but I need you inside me first.” I inhale sharply when he moves his hand to my sensitive slit, and I beg, “Please.”

  Esher thrusts two fingers into me, and I gyrate my hips to help him as he works me with his hand. His breath is hot against my neck. “Yes.” He breaks away, and the wood of a drawer bangs as he opens it and rummages for a condom. He lies down on the bed to put it on before he says, “Ride me, Andi.”

  The plush comforter sinks around my knees as I crawl over him and gaze into his face. I place myself over his cock and guide it in. He jerks his hips up as he grabs mine and spears me so that I gasp and take in his full length. “Oh god.” I spread my legs further to seat him deeper. “You feel so good, like you belong here.”

  “I do.” Esher rocks up and down with me as I begin to move. “You know I do.”

  “Yes.” I drop my chin, and my hair tickles my face as it falls forward while I work him under me and take what I need. When I’m close to my climax I throw my head back, and a small cry sounds. Esher’s hand grips my hair firmly, and it’s the catalyst for my orgasm. As I begin to come down he flips me over so that I’m on my back, and he drives deep.

  Esher’s movements are fast as he pumps into me. And I gaze into his face when a growl sounds. Fangs poke out of his mouth and shimmer in the moonlight as he roars out his release. I do this to him. Tears fill my eyes as he collapses over me.

  His hair is smooth against my fingers as I comb through it and whisper, “We belong together.”

  “We belong to each other,” says Esher.

  I smile with the knowledge that we really do.

  Ten

  Early-morning sunlight streams through the window of Esher’s bedroom. I open my eyes to his smile as he hovers over me on all fours. “Good morning.”

  I stretch like a cat and think of Snowflake. I did leave her extra food and water, so she’ll be fine until I get home, because I’m in no rush. “Good morning.”

  Esher slides his hands down my torso and under my bottom. “I don’t go in for another two hours. You should call in sick.”

  I moan as he begins to kiss my neck, and moisture pools between my legs as I squirm. “I can’t. Today I plan to quit.” If I didn’t go in, I’d spend my day testing my blood every hour to monitor the progress of my Esher infusion. I’d make myself crazy. Last time we noticed it began to work within six hours, and by twenty-four my blood was normal.

  “I don’t like you going back to the lab, Andi.”

  “I need to get my things, and it would be more suspicious if I never showed up again.” I reach for his cock. “Now what were we doing? Because I can be late.”

  “Good,” he says. I quiver under his mouth when he gets to my belly. “Because I have plans for you.”

  “You do?” I ask. He moves lower, and when his tongue swipes over my folds I squeal. “Oh!”

  After a proper wake up, Esher makes me breakfast. He asks, “How do you feel?”

  I offer a sly smile as I nibble on a piece of bacon. “Pretty damn good.” He chuckles, and I say, “I’m not sure I feel much different, but I’ll test my blood when I get home and let you know.”

  Esher gives me a coffee-flavored kiss and stands. “I’ve got to get ready for work, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “No. I should get home to Snowflake.”

  “Ah, psycho cat.” He grins at me. “Tell her I said hello.”

  I offer a sly smile. “She’d better learn to deal with you, or she’ll be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Because I plan for this sleepover thing to happen again.”

  “I like the sound of that,” says Esher.

  I gulp down the rest of my coffee and gather my things. Plates clash as he puts them in the sink, and I add, “Esher, thank you.”

  He comes to take me by the shoulders, and I stare into his blue eyes as he says, “You don’t need to thank me. I’d do anything for you.”

  I lean in for his kiss and say, “Same here.”

  When I get home Snowflake curls around my ankles, and her soft fur tickles my skin. I squat down to her level as I ask, “What do you think? Do I look like I’ve been healed?”

  When I stand up with my cat in my arms I experience a wave of dizziness. No. Didn’t it work? I move over to my kitchen table, where I set up my microscope yesterday in preparation for today’s testing. I flinch when I prick my finger. A bright-red drop of blood splatters on the glass slide, and I move it quickly into place. I peer in the viewfinder as I hold my breath.

  The moment I see that nothing has changed I let out my breath in a big sigh. “Damn it.” I suppose it was too good to be true. Part of me knew that I was grasping at straws hoping I could be cured again. I grab my purse and search for my phone as Snowball jumps into my lap. She leans against me and offers the solace of her purr.

  I tap out the text to Esher as the tears come. “No change. I’ll check again later.”

  Snowflake follows me as I make my way to the couch and throw myself down on it. I let myself cry for a bit but then shake it off. My cat’s tongue is rough on my cheek as she licks salty moisture. “I know. I need to deal with this, don’t I?”

  She meows in response, and I sit up. The first thing on my list is to quit my job. I’m going to make the best of the few months I have left.

  I change my clothes and drive to the university. It’s lunchtime when I push my way into the lab to find Dr. Sand doing the actual work that pays our bills.