ommunity college to work full-time. That regrettable bob haircut in tenth grade. Letting S

their curse while their devastatingly hot Alpha claimed she was

hing again," Marcus

n's mansion, following a worn path between towering pines. Morning sun streaming through the canopy

t th

is exact moment." Marcus grinned at her. He was cute in a golden retriever kind o

I'm disappoin

after their deal, barking orders about preparations and containment. Thomas had given her a look that clearly said don't screw this up

babysitter?"

"But also yes, I'm supposed to make sure

hat l

nch. "Most humans don't handle the supernatural reveal this well. Usually t

ted. "What

in widened. "It was the most emotion I've ever seen on his face. Well, until last n

around a fallen log instead of examining that stateme

t's... com

kind of day and i know every shade

you know. There's a bond that forms, connects you on every level. You can feel their emotions, sometimes their thoughts.

tened. "And Rowan t

ut here's the thing. It takes two. He can feel it all he wants, but until you

it made her feel like she was standing on t

aring. Rachel stopped short, her newly enh

n the center. Others were arranging tables, carrying supplies, hanging lights from the branches overhead. A group

erson had the

re we gather for important events. Full moons, bondi

laying children and ran toward them. Her dark curls bounced as she

wrapping her arms around his knees.

her hair affectionately. "But I brou

l with unnerving focus. Then she tilted he

weird," she

, pulling the girl back gent

us and like the cold ones and like.

her expression shifted from apolo

led fast a

casual and landing somewhere near a

fully. "Just weird weird. Like when

p. To Rachel, she said quietly, "Thank you. For helping us. My husband,

at I can,"

eyes on her now. The whole clearing had noticed her arrival. Conversations had quieted

er seen a hybrid before. You're like a unicorn. If unicorns cou

terrible

with what I

er than Thomas, with a scar cutting through his left eyebrow. His gold eyes ass

ha's mate," he sai

she corrected.

to? The ritual isn't a simple blood draw. It requires power transfer. I

chin. "Rowan exp

ing that much power through an untrained hybrid could burn you out from

Marcus

ever left Rachel. "Alpha wants this too badly.

you

o's been human her whole life." He stepped closer. "No offense, but you're a waitress. Yesterday

hree foster homes and fired from two jobs before The Crimson Moon. The anger that made

le like me. I'm a hybrid who shouldn't exist but does anyway. And I'm apparently powerful enough that your Alpha has been stalking me fo

something flickered in his eyes. Resp

lly, then turned and walk

eath she hadn't real

k's the second-strongest wolf in the pack after Ro

ed me of

what it's worth, I think you'll be fine. You've got that whole stubborn survivor thing going o

t time he saw you drop a tray of drinks and then tell t

tumbled.

and said his face was too stupid to look at while drinking premium vodka." Marcus was grinning again. "Rowan watched

d done with entitled rich assholes that her filter had completely failed. She'd been sure she

had told him n

n had been w

weird," sh

sense." Marcus stopped at the far edge of the clearing where the forest

ees grew so close together that the canopy blocked most of the sunlight. Rachel's enhanced senses pic

ed up again, and Ra

red in dense forest that went on for miles. A river cut through the landscape like a silver ribbon. And

two hundred wolves and their families. We're not just a pack, Rachel. We're a commun

rselves apart. Kill our own families. Destroy everything we've built. And there's nothing we can do to

thing. She'd been thinking about this in abstract terms. A deal

families. Real children who deserved to grow up

Marcus added with a

came out shaky. "Yeah

e, watching the valley. The

tual. Go over the details, make sure you know what to expect." He

woman who'd thanked her with tears in her eyes. About the two hundred peopl

d between them when they touched. About the mate bond she didn't

ly. "I made a deal.

they migh

rvive twenty-one years of foster care, three evictions, and that disaster

ne. "You're either the bravest pers

it be

ou? Pro

w, people gathering as the sun climbed higher. Rachel felt their eyes trackin

up as they approached, and his gaze locked onto Rachel with that same unnerving int

most feel his emotions. Worry. Determination. And underneath

to Thomas, then

y. "Good luck tonight. Try not to

and leaving Rachel alone to face the Alpha w

gh that she could smell pine and some

ive you t

Rachel crossed her arms. "Also mentioned you'v

. Not the cocky grin from earli

d, actually," he

l felt her lips twitch. "

cked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek. "But I don't

s touch, warm and electric

id, his voice dropping lower. More intimate.