Craving Silence

 

Cowboys and Werewolves 

Craving Silence Sheriff Silence Foster had everything under control in the quaint town of Silent Falls, until a group of rogue lycans begins raining terror down upon the people she’s sworn to protect. Billionaire cowboy and land developer Walker Helmsley has plans for Silent Falls, but returning to his hometown could prove dangerous as family secrets begin to unfold, marking him for certain death. Cattle rancher Lance Hickman is attacked by lycans, and a supernatural force begins an immediate transition. Once conscious, he catches the scent of his mate. Primal passions erupt, leaving these virile men craving Silence and fighting for their lives. Together, they must uncover the mysteries of Silent Falls before it kills them all. Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Vampires/Werewolves, Western/Cowboys Length: 45,617 words 

 

CRAVING SILENCE Cowboys and Werewolves

Morgan Fox

MENAGE AMOUR

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Amour

CRAVING SILENCE Copyright © 2012 by Morgan Fox E-book ISBN: 1-61926-249-5 First E-book Publication: February 2012 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Craving Silence by Morgan Fox from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Morgan Fox’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Fox’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

 

DEDICATION For my husband Eric for helping make all my dreams come true. Thank you. You’ll never know just how much you mean to me. Special thanks to Lydia Mazza and Andrea Ashby. You ladies rock.

 

CRAVING SILENCE Cowboys and Werewolves MORGAN FOX Copyright © 2012

Chapter One Sheriff Silence Foster sat at her desk with a pen in hand, riffling through stacks of incident reports. Her little town was turning into a haven for the wickedly daring and paranormally violent. The audacious occurrences were becoming more frequent and more brazen. Silent Falls had been her family’s home for generations. Growing up in this small east Texas community had been all she had ever known. Well, as far as most people were concerned. Truth was, Silence understood a hell of a lot more about the disquieting world outside of Silent Falls than she wanted to admit, mainly because she had been protecting her family and keeping their secrets under lock and key—secrets, that if revealed, could destroy her family and all they had built. The majestic little town was once serene and peaceful. People moved about their daily lives, business as usual, smiling and greeting one another like the neighborly folks they were. But recently, terror had struck and turned this tranquil piece of paradise into a hellish part of the world. Silence knew the dangers that lurked outside their quaint city limits were unthinkable and often horrifying. She spent her career in law enforcement, making sure those supernatural cretins stayed

 

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outside her jurisdiction—preternatural creatures that had left her community alone…until now. Over the last several weeks, cars and office buildings had been vandalized, homes robbed, and people harassed and assaulted by a local gang of hooligans, except they weren’t exactly just punks running amuck. They were werewolves—a feisty bunch of young lycans looking to settle down and take over this small slice of Texas. This was something Silence was not about to let happen. Her family hadn’t sacrificed everything, including their lives, to lose their home to a bunch of supernatural shitheads. “Sheriff?” Startled out of her thoughts by the rumble of a deep, brusque voice, she almost jumped out of her seat, but being a woman in a man’s world, she fought to keep herself calm and collected at all times. Slowly raising her gaze off the page, she stared at Gavin curiously. The six-foot-six mammoth deputy was grinning at her like the devil. “What’s up?” she said coolly, even though inside, her heartbeat raced and her breath came quick. Gavin cocked his thumb up over his shoulder as if indicating something behind him. “There’s a guy here to see you. Says his name’s Walker Helmsley.” He arched a curious brow. “Oh, shit,” she mumbled. “I forgot all about him.” She quickly began straightening her desk, piling papers on top of the alreadyexisting piles. “Gavin, give me a second and then send him in.” “Sure,” he said with a widening smile. He was used to how she operated. Getting lost in her work was just what she did. A minute or so later, Walker Helmsley confidently strolled into her office. As she stood to shake his hand, she nearly tripped over her own chair, not to mention her tongue. The moment her eyes drifted over the dark-haired, sharply dressed, towering god, she found it hard to breathe. He was no mere businessman. Mr. Helmsley was a certified walking sex machine in a light-gray cowboy hat, decked out

 

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in a recently pressed, charcoal-colored Armani suit that smelled as expensive as it looked. She couldn’t help but feel the rush of blood rise to her cheeks and dip down between her legs. Dear God, just the sight of him made her sex crazed. Suppressed desires ignited inside her that she’d never allowed herself to even ponder before. Losing control was not something she could afford to do in her position as a respectable sheriff, but damn if her body didn’t seem to care. Forcing her tongue back into her mouth, she quickly licked her lips, her eyes still examining the man approaching her. She found her hands and fingers itching to squeeze a firm hold around his welldefined biceps to see if what was hiding underneath that expensive suit really was all man. His intense, dark-brown eyes spoke to her, and the scent of his masculinity told her he might be thinking naughty things about her. The wicked grin tugging at his lips confirmed it. Finally shaking his hand, she cleared her throat. “I’m Sheriff Foster.” The corner of his mouth quirked into a knowing smile as he said, “Nice to meet you, Sheriff Foster, and thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” “Of course, Mr. Helmsley,” she said in a cordial tone and gestured for him to take the seat across from her desk. But as soon as she did, her mind set to work envisioning him sweeping his arm across her desk, knocking everything to the ground, and hauling her up to fuck her like a crazed wolf. Oh, Lord in heaven, stop that, she scolded herself. It’s just the itch of the full moon making me a horny idiot. Breathe. Just Breathe. “As I mentioned briefly on the phone to you earlier this week, I’m interested in Silent Falls. I’m considering buying the land and helping to keep this community the way it is. I’ve got family here, and I’d like to see that things don’t get out of hand.” She scowled. “What do you mean by that?” Her temper flared with the need to defend her home, her community. She wasn’t sure if

 

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she liked the idea of someone coming in and possibly changing everything about Silent Falls. Once a man like Helmsley got his hands on it, she could only imagine how not silent Silent Falls would be. “Sheriff, as you already know, I’m a land developer—” She flashed him a sardonic smile. “No, Mr. Helmsley, you’re a billionaire landowner who buys up small towns and builds giant monstrosity shopping centers, distribution centers, and God only knows what else.” She had done her homework on Helmsley Industries and could imagine just how powerful a man like him could be. She practically smelled his billions oozing out of his every pore. He nodded. “Very true, but my plans are different for Silent Falls. They’re personal.” What personal reasons could he have for wanting to own Silent Falls? Why would he want it now, especially when everything was going to hell in a handbasket? Surely, his “family” had reported to him what was occurring in town. A man like Walker Helmsley didn’t become a billionaire by not doing his own bit of research. Scowling deeper, she said, “I see. And what exactly do you want from me?” He removed his cowboy hat and placed it on his bent knee. With a stiff hand, he combed his fingers through his sandy-brown hair. “I’m interested in learning more about Silent Falls. I’d like to know that things truly are the way I remember them.” “Remember them?” she asked with surprise in her voice. He gave a subtle nod. “I didn’t always go by the name Helmsley. In fact, I took my mother’s maiden name when I discovered what a lying, cheating bastard my father was. You might remember me as Walker Reed.” Gasping, she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God!” His brows pinched tight at the bridge of his nose. “Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for. Should I be worried, Silence?” He said her name as if he’d known her all her life. Suddenly, she felt as if the earth and everything around her stopped moving.

 

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“Walker Reed? No way. You don’t look anything like I remember, and your smell—” She swallowed hard, wondering how she was going to backtrack out of that little slip. Yep, I can smell you because I’m a wolf. She wished she could close her eyes and rewind her words, but all she envisioned was calming him down, saying, Please don’t scream. I swear I’m potty trained. Ugh. Damn that full moon is turning my brains into scrambled eggs. “I smell?” he asked with a close-to-repulsive stare. Heat flooded her cheeks. “I meant you look so different.” Walker’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Growing up can do that to a person. It’s been more than twenty years since I was here last,” he reminded her. She blushed and teasingly admitted, “You mean twenty years since my first kiss.” Where the hell had that come from? A wide smile spread across his face, the bright whites of his teeth gleaming at her. “I was your first kiss?” he asked. She cocked her head at him and glared. “You know you were.” Smiling, he confirmed what she already knew. “You were mine as well.” Shrugging like it was no big deal, she said, “I know.” No longer rigid with tension, she slid back in her chair and got momentarily lost in the memories of her childhood. “Wow, it really has been twenty years.” His gaze drifted over her, and everywhere he looked, her body tingled and warmed. “I must say, you look amazing.” Doing the exact same thing to him, her lingering glances finally settled back on his alluring brown eyes. “You don’t look too bad yourself, billionaire boy.” He chuckled, folding his arms over his chest in a mock pout. “I’ve worked very hard over the years, Silence. My mother made sure I had the best education, and once I graduated from Harvard—” “Harvard?” she said in a snobbish tone, folding her hands properly in front of her.

 

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He nodded, glancing down for a second as if a little embarrassed. “I started working beside my mother and learning the business. I was a natural, and soon the business was growing by leaps and bounds.” “And now you own it?” His lips pressed together tight, and lines of loss and worry etched around his eyes. “Yes, unfortunately my mother died a few years ago.” Her heart dropped into her stomach. “Oh, Walker, I’m so sorry to hear that. Your mother was always so kind to me.” She had the strange urge to hug him, but that wouldn’t be proper. Besides, she didn’t trust herself. She’d likely jump him the moment she got close enough. Something about him was driving her a little off the edge of reason. She wished she could say she didn’t like it, wanted to fight against it, but she didn’t. “Thank you. It was difficult. My mother was everything to me. Now, I simply submerge myself into my business endeavors.” “So you’re not married?” Smooth, Silence, really smooth. He smiled. “No, I’m not married.” “Engaged? Dating anyone?” she asked, sounding more eager than she had truly intended, almost appearing as if she were desperate to know as much as she could about him. And that wouldn’t be a lie. What’s going on with me? He laughed. “Wow, you really are a cop. You would’ve done well as a detective, I’m sure. Maybe even a sexy interrogator.” With an arched brow, he inclined his head, and his eyes slowly scanned over her. “I’d let you interrogate me anytime.” She hid her smile. “That might be a good profession for the big cities, but then we don’t really need a lot of detectives and interrogators around here.” Neither spoke for a moment as they seemed to assess each other, their gazes locked. “No, not engaged and certainly not dating anyone. If I was, I’d end it immediately.” She frowned. “Why is that?”

 

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He held her gaze, his eyes fixed on her like a hunter tracking its prey. His voice was deep and dripped like warm honey as he said, “Because after all these years, I’ve finally found you.” **** Lance Hickman traveled down Interstate 20 with one thought on his mind. When the hell do I get to eat? He was starving. He hadn’t had a real meal since he left his south Texas ranch several hours ago. The cattle he hauled had to be at auction before morning, and he was clearly running behind schedule. His foot pressed heavier on the gas pedal, and he quickly glanced over at the map resting in the passenger seat, hoping he’d gotten the directions correct. Sure, a GPS might be more reliable to some, but technology was not his thing. He preferred a good old map, and as long as land developers hadn’t come in and changed everything, erecting new interstates and building cities that became desolate during hard economic times, this map was perfect. It was no mystery that he favored the country to the city and that was also why he preferred to auction his cattle off in quaint country towns. Dealing with the hustle and bustle of the crazed, big-city traffic and rude, obnoxious attitudes of its inhabitants was something he avoided at all costs. Even as a boy, he’d always known he wanted to take after his father, raising livestock on their farm. As a young man, he spent hours and hours trucking all over Texas delivering his father’s cattle, growing more accustomed to the demands his dad had endured over the years—the responsibility to always be the best he could. The ranch his family owned had grown into one of the largest in Texas, and his cattle was some of the best in the state. Lance was proud of his family’s reputation for raising the best herds, and, the truth was, even though the road trips to deliver his cattle were tedious and timeconsuming, he enjoyed the time to himself.

 

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Life on the ranch was hectic. Every day there was more and more to do, more cattle that needed tending, more food that needed picking up and sorting out, and more acreage that needed fencing. The requirements of his job were enough to drive most people into the cities, but not him. A life of hard work in the open fields was exactly what he loved about living in Texas. The simple fact that he could cross the state and discover completely different terrain was both amazing and wonderful. There were hills in some towns, flat plains in others, mammoth cities with buildings that reached the heavens, small towns where everybody knew everybody, and a bordering ocean to gaze at and dream in— there was no place on earth like Texas. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing could make him leave his little piece of paradise. This was the life he had chosen and the life he was content to have. Finally, he had reached the last long stretch of unlit highway before arriving at Silent Falls, and he couldn’t have been more ready to be there. His rumbling stomach had been his constant companion, and his anxiously bouncing leg was about to drill a hole right through the floorboard. Yawning, exhausted from travel, he knew that even when he arrived, he’d still need to unload his cattle before he could even think about feeding his belly and getting even a wink of sleep. Then suddenly a flash of silver blinded him, and he squinted to see past it, but it was too late. He hit something on the road. Actually it was more like something hit him. He slammed his foot down on the brake, but the truck had veered too far off the edge of the road, causing the tires of his truck and trailer to scrape against the rocky asphalt. An explosion of sounds blasted around him as several tires blew. The steep embankment and flattened tires tugged at his vehicle, and the heavy weight of the cattle spilled over, jerking and pulling his truck onto its side. His vision blurred as blood gushed from his forehead. The windshield of his truck had been shattered, and the cab of his truck bowed in from the impact of the crash. Cattle screamed and wailed

 

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behind him, and he struggled to get free of his seat belt. He hadn’t broken anything. At least, he didn’t think so. Using his legs, he kicked the rest of the glass free of the windshield and slowly climbed out. Dizzy and disoriented, he tried his best to remain conscious. Holding his head in his hands, he knelt on the ground. Beneath the weight of his knees, the crushing of leaves and twigs sounded like drums banging inside his ears. The first wave of nausea hit him hard, and he gripped his stomach, bracing for the first round of dry heaves, but they didn’t come. Instead, an unsettling feeling of oh shit churned in the pit of his stomach. Being wounded badly and stranded in the middle of nowhere without a cell phone was not the best situation to be caught in at night. To make matters worse, he was so banged up that he was physically unable to check on his cattle. With blurry vision, he could see that some of the cows were bloodied and wandering the street and some even lay on the ground unmoving. He cringed at the sight of all the crimson-colored fluid that had splashed on the side walls of the trailer and ground. The horrifying scene around him resembled a bloody massacre. Startled by the growl of a wild animal, he froze. A second later, he felt another unsettling prickle at the back of his neck warning him of certain danger. He swallowed and slowly scouted back to his truck in search of his gun. It was too late. Before he could reach the cab, several large four-legged beasts erupted from the woods like demons springing from Hell. The hideous animals’ menacing fangs glowed in the darkness as they leapt through the air, snarling and snapping. Dozens of furry creatures sprung over him, charging for his unprotected and injured cattle. The fierce animals shredded the flesh of his livestock in seconds. Clinging to his truck as if hoping to camouflage himself within it, he held as still as he could. Once all the animals were distracted with his cattle, he took the chance to find his gun. Moving as slow as he could, he crawled back through the window, his legs still dangling out

 

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as he searched the glass-covered floorboard of his truck. His fingers slowly circled around the barrel of his shotgun, and he eased it up. Then, behind him, he heard the intense rumbling of a breathy growl. Closing his eyes, he knew in an instant that his attempts to find the gun had been for nothing because he was about to be destroyed by whatever wild beast now stood over him. He prayed. **** “Excuse me, Sheriff,” Gavin said, leaning into her office. “There’s been a report of drag racing just outside of town. Mr. Jared’s pissed, says his cattle are going to be too anxious to produce milk if we don’t make the kids stop acting like a menace.” He winked and quickly retreated. His coded messaged was received. The menace Gavin referred to was the new damn lycans running wild in Silent Falls. Maybe she’d get lucky and catch them in the act. “I’m sorry, Walker, but I’ve got to handle this.” “I understand, but before you go, agree to meet me for drinks?” He leaned forward to be just a little closer to her, his arm stretched over her desk, his hand inches from hers. The distance between them was driving her mad. “I don’t know,” she told him, her gaze sweeping over the stack of paperwork on her desk. “I’ve got so much to do.” “Silence, the work will be there tomorrow. Come on, and have a drink with me. Better yet, dinner.” “Walker.” Irritated, she spewed his name and scowled at him. Her hands folded defiantly over her chest and her glare grew more heated, but inside, her belly flipped and flopped nervously, charmed by the gorgeous billionaire cowboy from her past. Walker placed his hands palms out in a show of surrender, lowering his gaze in a submissive manner. “Fine, dinner and drinks, but I’m serious, nothing more.” His gaze slowly rose, and the grin that spread across his face practically melted her already-racing heart.

 

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She rose from her seat and stood with her palms flat on the desk. “I’ll meet you tomorrow night at the diner downtown at seven.” Walker rose from his seat, a heavy smirk tugging at his adorable lips. “But, Walker, don’t make me wait and don’t act like this is anything more than a business dinner between two old friends. Got it?” He placed his gray Stetson on his head and pinched the brim of it between his index finger and thumb and gave it a subtle tip. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. The Southern drawl in his accent sounded forced, but coming out of his mouth it still sounded sexy as hell. “Until seven.” He flashed another quick smile before rounding the door of her office, disappearing from sight. Nerves jittered wildly inside her as she tried to focus on the latest incident that required her immediate attention. But her thoughts continued to return to the man from her past. Who would have predicted that today she would be having dinner with a man she’d once considered the one who would win her heart. Shaking the warm thoughts from her head, she quickly grabbed her gun from the top drawer of her desk, stashed it in its holster at her hip, and then snatched the keys from her pocket. With an uncharacteristic pep in her step, she rounded the desk and charged from the office to see what havoc her new little pack of heathens had wreaked.

 

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Chapter Two “Holy shit,” Silence whispered to herself as her Tahoe came to an abrupt stop alongside the wrecked truck and mangled livestock trailer. Staring at the destruction, she knew instantly that this was no simple drag racing incident. This was a malicious attack on an unsuspecting traveler and his cargo. Her throat constricted with soul-numbing vehemence as her fingers gripped the steering wheel. Another damn werewolf attack. Her lycan senses kicked into hyperdrive before she exited the vehicle. She took a quick surveillance of her surroundings, inhaling the numerous aromas that made up the night, taking mental notes of all the chaos her supernatural eyes could devour. Blood and carcasses were strewn across the unlit highway as if the sky had simply opened up and dropped the animals from unimaginable heights. From the smell of the blood, the mutilated bodies were cattle, but there was also a faint scent of— A sudden movement caught her eyes as she glanced toward the front of the overturned truck. The image clear to her, she immediately flung the door open and charged toward the cowboy boots that shifted and scraped against the gravel and dry soil. She slid on her knees, and she came to an immediate stop beside the human victim. Her instincts had been correct. This was another malicious lycan attack. Glancing down at the menacing tear marks in the flesh of the man’s shoulders and back, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that rogue werewolves had brutalized this poor man. And for what? she growled to herself. To make more monsters? The attacks were

 

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becoming worse, more violent, and dangerous for everyone in Silent Falls. Something drastic had to be done and soon. Glancing up at the sky, she muttered, “Poor bastard.” The full moon was only a week away. She could feel the heat of the moon along her skin. The fine hairs at the nape of her neck rose with awareness. Glancing back down at the man in her arms, she whispered aloud, “If you knew what was in store for you, you’d have preferred they’d killed you instead.” With a heavy sigh, she pulled her cell phone from her hip pocket. “Gavin, I’ve got an animal-attack victim in pretty bad shape in need of medical assistance on Highway 5, just north of Murphy’s Ranch.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “Before you head out here, notify Doc Brock that his help is required, and please let him know that he’s going to need to bring some heavy machinery with him. We’ve got about a dozen slaughtered cows blocking the road.” “Animal attack?” Gavin’s knowing voice clearly told her he knew exactly what kind of animal attack she was referring to. He was the only person, besides the pack of peaceful werewolves that lived in Silent Falls, that even knew lycans or shape-shifters existed, and he helped her to keep it that way. “Yes,” she hissed. “Now hurry. This guy’s not looking so hot.” Before she closed her phone, Gavin said, “On my way.” She immediately placed her cell back into her pocket. Easing the driver onto his back, she used her leg to keep his head slightly elevated. His eyes batted open, and his hands came up in a blink, gripping hold of her shirt, pulling her closer to him. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. “Help me,” he stuttered, choking on the blood that filled the back of his throat. “Wild beasts at…” His voice trailed off as his body fought the exhaustion ravaging him. He wouldn’t die. Not now. His body was already infected with the lycan anomaly, and the transition was certainly underway. The man

 

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might have been covered in blood, but she could smell the changes in him. Lycanthropy worked fast. Soon he’d be stronger and faster, his vision sharper, and there’d be no way to stop him if he wanted to turn rogue. Silence couldn’t allow that to happen, and she wouldn’t. Not in her town. “Just lay still. Help’s on the way.” She placed her hand over top of his, and his trembling grip loosened. His heavy-lidded eyes closed once again as he drifted back into unconsciousness. She cradled him in her arms, using her accelerated body heat to keep him warm. He was shaking like a leaf, most likely from loss of blood and shock. Reaching into his denim coat pocket, she pulled his wallet free and flipped it open. “Lance Hickman from Kerrville, Texas,” she murmured and blew out a hard, sympathetic breath, staring down at the blood-covered face of the man she couldn’t help but pity. His life would be hell soon, and that was only if she decided to let him live. “Well, Mr. Hickman, welcome to Silent Falls.” **** Dr. Shadow Foster, the local MD in Silent Falls, and Silence’s temperamental twin sister, arrived with her team and in a flash had Lance Hickman stabilized and loaded into the back of the ambulance. Silence stood nearby as everyone Gavin had called began doing their part to erase the events of the night. Keeping the horrors of the evening under wraps was not exactly what she wanted to do, but she also didn’t want a citywide panic on her hands. She felt the cold, hard stare of her sister prickling against the nape of her neck before she noticed her approach. “I’ve got Mr. Hickman ready to take to the clinic. Can I expect to see you soon?” she asked impatiently. Glaring at Shadow, she told her, “You know you will. Give me some time to take care of this, and then I’ll be there.”

 

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Shadow rolled her big blue eyes at her and flipped her shoulderlength, wavy blonde hair over her shoulder in an annoyed you’re wasting my time display. “We need to decide what do to with him. He’s been bitten, and there’s nothing I can do to stop the change.” Shadow folded her slender arms over her chest and cocked her head back toward Silence, who simply nodded. “I’m aware of that.” Even though inside she felt the bubbling tension growing between them, Silence kept her voice smooth and calm. Shadow hastily turned away, and the chill she left in her wake was becoming a ritual between them. Life at the Foster home had certainly been interesting these last several years. Shadow blamed her for everything, it seemed, including the reason she was never able to leave Silent Falls to pursue a medical career in a larger city. Shadow felt Silence was holding her back, which was complete and total bullshit. She only suggested that Shadow remain close during the time of month where the wolf was present because the danger was greater away from the pack. But Shadow had argued that the warning was her twin’s way of telling her not to leave. Silence didn’t want to think about the friction between them right now, and she had other pressing matters to attend to. Gavin strolled up alongside her and bumped his shoulder against hers in a teasing fashion. “Trouble in sisterly paradise I see.” “Shut up, Gavin,” she said annoyingly. “I know you have a crush on my sister, but you work for me, so you of all people should stay clear of our family matters.” He pinched his brow tight on his forehead before he tried to deny his feelings. “I don’t have a crush…” Silence inclined her head to the side in a challenging expression and arched a devious eyebrow, cutting off his words with her stern, knowing glare. “Don’t even think of lying to me. I know how you feel about her, and if you had any balls, you might’ve already asked her out.” He shrugged, and Silence simply shook her head. Men…

 

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Leaning in close so that her voice would only be heard by Gavin, she told him, “It’s time we go on the offensive. We need to start digging deep to discover the identities of these new lycans, and we need to find out where they’re hiding. I don’t want them in my town any longer, and it looks like it’s up to us to see that they get a permanent eviction notice.” “Would you like for me to gather a few other lycans for a night reconnaissance?” Gavin’s chest seemed to expand at the thought of having a night to run through the woods wild and free in search of excitement. “Yes,” she said sharply, grabbing hold of Gavin’s arm before he could turn away. “But recruit discreetly. I don’t want word getting out just how badly things have gotten around here. Alerting the humans would only bring hell down upon us, and that’s exactly what we need to avoid.” Gavin nodded. His sandy-blond hair tousled slightly as a gust of wind blew through the trees. “I’ll track down Gaius, Declan, and Marcus. The four of us should be able to cover a good amount of terrain tonight without getting noticed. I’ll report back in the morning.” She released his arm and offered him a subtle smile. “Thanks, Gavin, and be careful.” “You got it.” He turned to leave, but hesitated, his dark gaze flickering with wicked intent. “Hey, boss, you know the real reason I never asked Shadow out, don’t you?” She shook her head, eyes narrowed. “I never wanted to know what you looked like naked. Let’s face it. I heard you were identical.” He shuddered. “That would just be weird.” Silence quickly shifted her booted foot to kick him, but missed as he scurried away with a hearty chuckle. Her gaze quickly darted back to the bustle of activities that nobody present really wanted to participate in. She didn’t have to be psychic to know that either, just observant to the behaviors of those

 

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who knew so much was at stake. If word of this incident leaked out to the normal population, the buzz that it created would attract a lot of unwanted attention in the media. Silent Falls had been kept low on the radar for generations, and she wasn’t about to let that fact change. Groaning, she knew it would take hours to clean up the mess and it had to be done before first light. A local tow rig had already hoisted and righted the overturned truck and trailer, and all that was left was to haul it off. Doc Brock and his crew were still in the process of picking up all the slaughtered cows. Her local deputies had blocked off the road several miles in either direction due to a car accident which involved an overturned cattle trailer. Most facts could be disclosed, just not all of them. “Silence?” a familiar, raspy voice called out to her, startling her out of her thoughts. She twisted around to see her trusted friend and favorite veterinarian, Doctor David Brock, standing behind her. His soft gray eyes and salt-and-pepper hair was a welcomed sight. “Hey, Doc,” she said. He patted a gentle hand on her shoulder, a comforting gesture she deeply appreciated from the older man. “I know you have this terrible need to monitor everything, but you don’t have to stand and watch. I can handle the cattle removal just fine. I’ll make sure everything’s cleaned up before I head out.” “It’s okay, Doc, really.” “Silence.” His commanding voice was so fatherly it was like an echo of the past, as if her own father had spoken her name. “I’ve known you since you were a baby. You always put this town above everything else, and we all know it. Leave this cleanup to me. You are most likely needed at the clinic anyway. From what I could smell, that boy’s in trouble, and I’m sure Shadow’s none too happy about it. You know how she gets about lycan matters.” Truer words were never spoken. She sighed heavily, knowing that Doc was right. “Is she ever really happy about anything?”

 

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Doc Brock scowled at her, and it was another fatherly gesture that showed he wasn’t exactly thrilled about their sibling rivalry. She shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry, I know you’re right.” “Of course I am, child. Now get your ass out of here and take care of that man. I’m sure he’s going to need you more than these dead cows are.” “Okay, I’m gone. Thanks, Doc.” He smiled, but didn’t move until she did. Hopping into her truck, she had one location on her mind, and that was the clinic where Lance Hickman was being mended and stitched up for a possible execution. **** Shadow’s blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her lips were pressed tightly together as her arms folded over her chest. “What took you so long?” she asked with an irritated growl in her voice. With a sideways glance, Silence told her, “I stopped to get my nails done on the way.” She flipped her hand over and extended her middle finger. “You like?” So much for being smooth and calm, she told herself. Shadow, once again, rolled her eyes at her twin. “You could have made an effort to get here sooner. My staff would like to go home sometime before morning.” Ignoring her whining sister, she got straight to the point. “What’s the status on Mr. Hickman?” Shadow picked up his medical chart that was conveniently on top of the counter beside her and handed it to Silence. “He’s been bitten twenty-two times. His back was hamburger meat when I started cleaning his wounds. Right now he’s full of morphine, and he’s going to stay that way until he heals fully. I think it will help us avoid any unwanted questions until you figure out what you want to do with him.”

 

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“Me?” she asked. “I’m not the one who has to decide anything. The council has that honor.” Shadows darkening blue eyes narrowed. “But you’re on the council, so you get a vote.” Silence ran a stiff hand through her loose-and-flowing blonde hair. Shadow was right. She did get a vote along with the other elders. Silence was the youngest member of the council and only appointed because she was the eldest in her family. Since the death of her father, Silence had been nominated to replace him, and that was another reason Shadow was more than pissed at her, as if she had a say in the fact she was born a few seconds earlier. “I’ll contact the council in the morning and tell them what’s happened. I’m sure they’ll want to convene shortly after, and then once I know, I’ll let you know.” “Fine,” Shadow said sharply. “Whatever.” Silence’s fist squeezed tight at her side. Her need to rap her sister in the head with the medical chart was beyond alarming. Inhaling a calming breath, she wondered if her sister would ever treat her like she wasn’t the enemy. Would she ever get that her life was even harder now that her parents were gone, leaving her with so much burden to carry? Probably not. “Can I see him?” “Why?” The look on Shadow’s face was one of deep curiosity and question. Silence shook her head and scowled. “Does it really matter why?” Shadow put her hand up as if to block her sister from sight. “Whatever. He’s in the last room on the left. Lock up when you leave. I’m telling my people to head home.” Without saying good-bye, Silence stalked down the hallway, putting much-desired distance between her and her emotionally onesided sister. But when she reached Lance’s door, a wild shiver raced up and down her spine, raising the fine hairs all over her body. Instinct clawed at her mind and had her nails and teeth lengthening in defense. The unique smell that was lycan blasted through her senses.

 

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Hesitantly, she entered the room where the golden-haired guest was supposed to be drugged into sleep. She tensed at the shocking sight before her. Lance Hickman wasn’t resting and healing peacefully as Shadow had described. Instead his body flailed wildly on the bed. His sweat-soaked figure saturated the sheets beneath him as he shook and trembled violently. The alarming tumultuousness of his bloodcurdling screams left her frozen in place, fingers gripped on the doorknob. The transformation was happening much faster than they had expected. Tonight, he would become the wolf.

 

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Chapter Three “What the hell is going on in here?” Walker Helmsley’s voice boomed from behind her, startling her so much she jumped with a yelp. “Walker,” Silence gasped. “What are you doing here? You really shouldn’t have come. You need to leave.” “The hell I do,” he retorted aggressively, moving to stand close to her. His gaze never drifted away from her face. “I’m not leaving you alone with him.” He pointed a determined finger in Lance’s direction, a deep, heavy scowl etched across his forehead. “I’m not leaving you alone with a damn crazed werewolf.” Silence sucked in a sharp breath and spun around so quickly that her breasts brushed against the firm ridge of muscles on Walker’s chest. As she stared up at him, all six-foot-four of him, her eyes swelled at his words. Her breathing quickened. “Werewolf?” she asked, sounding both surprised and anxious that he would use a word so unique to her kind to describe what he saw happening to Lance. How would he even know lycans existed? He cupped her face in his hands, his golden-brown eyes softening as he gazed down at her. “Don’t look so shocked, Silence. I’ve known about werewolves”—he arched his brow—“lycans, since I was a child. I grew up in Silent Falls after all, and you’d have to be deaf and dumb not to know that things really do go bump in the night in this town. Besides, my grandmother told me stories. Before she met Dutch, she was in love with your grandfather, and from what she’s told me, they had quite the whirlwind love affair. More importantly, I know what you are, and I’ve known since we were kids.”

 

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Her brow pinched tight at the bridge of her nose. “What I am?” Walker grinned, his eyes narrowing. “Are you honestly going to pretend ignorance with me?” She felt overwhelmed, shocked that they were having a discussion about her kind. How could she have not known he knew? “I’m not pretending anything, and I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Right, and if I did this”—he wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her body up against his. One of his hands slid up her side, over her ribs, cupping the underside of her suddenly heavy breast. His mouth eased close to her ear. The warmth of his breath dipped sensually inside as he spoke, and she shivered in response. She closed her eyes, feeling her body tingle with the excitement his caress presented—“then your eyes might turn silver with the slightest prick of desire.” A deep-seated shock flooded her mind. She scowled, shoving him away. “Stop it, Walker. Whatever you think you are doing, just stop it.” Her gaze wandered in every direction, but back toward him. He reached for her, his fingers grazing her arms, but she fought him. She didn’t want to feel the heat of his touch upon her overly sensitive skin. “Look at me, Silence. Show me your gorgeous eyes.” “Stop it, Walker. You’re being ridiculous. My eyes are blue just as they’ve always been,” she said with a sneer. “Then stop fighting me,” he demanded, grabbing hold of her firmly. His grip was surprisingly strong for a human, and she found herself so amazed by the hum of power that blazed within his touch that her gaze shot to his. She gasped the moment she realized what she had done and quickly looked away, but he was on her faster than she’d ever seen anyone but a lycan move. He held her body, cradled her face. His mouth covered hers in a fiery kiss. His hands and mouth consumed her.

 

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At first her reaction was to resist, but the connection she felt in the way his fingers moved upon her skin was nothing compared to the touch of his lips upon hers. Before she could think, she wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to the intimacy he promised and his desire-filled kisses. His mouth was warm and inviting, and his caress was a welcome sensation she’d never known could happen between two people, as if all the emotions she had had for him over her lifetime had suddenly erupted all at once. She couldn’t release her hold on him, and she begged that he felt the same way. Her body burned with the calling of the soon-to-be-full moon. Her pulse beat so hard and fast in her ears it was all she could hear. In seconds, he had lifted her from the ground. Her lean legs surrounded his waist as he carried her somewhere, and she didn’t care where as long as he didn’t stop touching and kissing her. She heard the scraping of a privacy curtain, and then her back bumped against the soft mattress of a small bed. The heavy weight of his firm body rested on her, her legs still wrapped tightly around his hips. The hard press of his aroused cock lay impatiently against her covered pussy. Suddenly, she was dripping with desire, her body craving only one thing—Walker Helmsley. That was until a large crash ripped her from her lust-filled thoughts. Walker lunged from the bed, tearing the curtain open as he sought to investigate the sound. Silence quickly moved up behind him, and her eyes devoured the room, settling on the overturned table and medical instruments that had been organized beside Lance’s bed. “Wait here,” she told Walker, rushing from the room. She had to find her sister before she managed to leave the clinic. As predicted, her sister hadn’t left yet, and she was sitting in her office, riffling through papers and documenting in some medical charts. Silence charged into the room, and her wide-eyed gaze locked with her sister’s. Her mouth opened, and the words simply flew out.

 

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“Lance Hickman’s not asleep, Shadow. He’s very much awake, and I think he’s turning.” Shadow rose so fast that her chair slammed against the wall behind her. It must have been the horrified look on her face that caused her sister to react so quickly and not give her the twentyquestion drill. Rounding her desk, heading for the door, she asked, “Are you sure? I gave him enough drugs to knock out an elephant.” Walking at a less-than-run pace next to her sister, Silence’s hand dug through her loose hair. “You know about lycan metabolism better than I do. Is it possible he’s already turning?” “I can’t imagine it, but who knows. If the lycans were old enough, then maybe, but I thought we were dealing with a bunch of mangy teens.” “Right now with what I just saw happening to Lance, I’m not betting on anything. Gavin and the guys are out looking for our little menaces. I need to warn him that they might not be so little after all.” “You do that. I’m going in to see what I can do for our newfound guest.” “Great.” Silence reached for her cell phone and started dialing Gavin’s number. She prayed he remembered to put the damn thing on vibrate and not just turn it off. They entered Lance’s room where Walker was strapping Lance’s wildly flailing body down onto the bed. Sweat glistened from Lance’s skin as if he were sitting inches away from the sun. Shadow sucked in a breath. “Who are you?” “Sorry, he’s with me,” Silence said. Her eyes quickly met Walker’s, and she cocked her head to the side, indicating that he should step away from Lance Hickman immediately. He did. Gavin’s voice shot through the phone in a hushed whisper. “What’s up, boss?” “I need you to keep something in mind. We might not be looking for kids. We might actually have some very old lycans running

 

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around Silent Falls. Lance Hickman, the guy with the overturned cattle truck…he’s turning.” “Shit!” “Exactly. Find a way to warn the others. I don’t want this to get ugly. I’m putting a call into the council now. We’ve got to put ourselves on high alert.” “Got it.” Gavin was off the line in record time. She stuffed her cell phone back into her pocket and went to stand beside her sister, who was trying to inject Lance with what she assumed was a sedative. “Silence, your hunch might be right. His body is being ravaged by the lycan virus, and for some reason it’s not waiting for the full moon. I don’t know if he is going to change completely, but if he does, I don’t think I can handle him alone. I’ll need your help.” Shadow cocked her head to look at Walker and sniffed the air. “He’s human. He needs to leave for his own safety.” Taking an intimating step forward, he snapped, “The hell I do. What is it with you Foster women always trying to get rid of me.” A few seconds passed, and Lance’s body stilled. The injection was working. But for how long? Her chest tightened as she looked at the worry around his eyes. “Walker, it’s not safe, and you know it. If he got free…” Her voice trailed off as she realized that she and her sister were speaking openly about the lycan activities in front of him. The ease in which she did that seemed unnatural to her. For some reason, she was not on guard when it came to him and she had developed an immediate level of trust with him. Why, she had no idea. “Walker, you said you knew about our kind, so you must know that it would only take a scratch for you to turn into one of us. Would you want to risk that?” His fingers wrapped around Silence’s forearm, and he gently pulled her to him, ushering her to the corner of the room. “I don’t want to see you hurt, either. I won’t leave you here with him alone.”

 

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She smiled up at him. The sweetness and concern she felt oozing from him had her heart racing with excitement and longing. She’d kiss him hard the next moment they were truly alone. “Walker, I’m a very strong woman, as is my sister, and we are more than capable of taking care of ourselves. Besides, there will be more help arriving soon.” “I still don’t feel comfortable about leaving you,” he whispered to her. His face was so close to hers that it would take little effort to possess his lips. An all-consuming need called to her, and she pushed up on her toes and kissed him gently. “How about I come find you once everything here is under control?” He held her gaze for a long moment, as if making sure the words she spoke came from her soul and were heartfelt. “You would come find me?” She nodded, and she knew her sister was listening. She could feel her eyes on her like a viper in the night. “You’re not just saying that?” “Trust me, Helmsley. We are so finishing what we started earlier.” She nipped as his lips. “Now go, and let me help Shadow.” “Just in case you need reminding,” he said just as his mouth closed over hers. Instantly, her arms wrapped around his neck and she dove headlong into his fierce kiss, leaving her breathless and wanting. Her eyes remained closed as he whispered one final thing in her ear. “Come find me later, Silence, and I’ll have you weeping from the number of orgasms I leave you with. That’s a promise.” Her eyes opened to see his large, impressive body retreating from the room. He never looked back, but she knew he was grinning from ear to ear like a playboy. “Are you done face fucking that man?” Shadow’s annoyed and jealousy-laced tone did little to shake away the euphoric feeling Walker had given her. “I hope not, because later I plan to have that man make good on a promise he made to me.”

 

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“Who was that anyway?” “Walker Helmsley, but you might remember him from our childhood as Walker Reed.” Shadow’s surprised gaze met hers. “The boy you had a serious crush on for, like, ever?” “That’s the one, and now he’s back in town. I just might get my fantasy after all. I’m supposed to meet up with him later.” Silence could feel the pounding of her pulse as she thought of all the naughty things she would like to do with him. “Use protection,” Shadow drawled, turning her gaze away from her sister and back to Lance, who was still resting peacefully. His body, however, still glowed with the allure of the lycan transformation. “Don’t forget to call the council,” she reminded her. “Right,” Silence said. She quickly shook off the lusty thoughts and reached back into her pocket to pull out her cell phone. Damn, this thing was getting its use this evening. She dialed the number to the mayor of Silent Falls and its most senior member of the council, Tim Dalton. And as expected, he wasted little time answering the line. “Silence, is everything okay? I heard there was trouble on the police scanner this evening.” “That’s actually why I’m calling, sir. We seem to have a situation down at the clinic. A young man was severely attacked and bitten by lycans, and for whatever reason, he’s already experiencing the lycan change. Shadow and I are at a loss at this point, sir, and we could use the council’s help. We could be dealing with an old and very powerful male lycan.” “Is this young man a threat to anyone? Is he showing signs of turning rogue?” “I can’t say for sure, but he looks like he’s going through a normal change, but at an accelerated rate.” “Then I’m going to leave this one up to you, my dear. As a council member and the sheriff of our town, I trust that you’ll make the right decision. Should you choose the extinction method, you only

 

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need to let me know and I’ll send over someone to remedy the situation.” One thing Silence had learned since becoming a member of the council was that when Tim Dalton made a decision, there was no arguing the point with him. His decision would be final. Fuck. “Should there be any issues with the young man, sir, I’ll do just that. Good night.” The line went silent, except for the racing and pounding of thoughts that screamed in her ears. “Well, what did he say?” Shadow asked, even before Silence was able to fully close her phone and slide it back into her pocket. “Looks like it’s up to us, little sis, and that means you and I get to play, judge, jury, and possibly executioner.” “What if I don’t want that responsibility? I’m not part of that damn council, and I sure as shit don’t want this man’s death on my hands. It’s bad enough I’ve even been put in this situation. I’m a doctor, Silence, not a murderer.” “Then in your medical opinion, Dr. Foster, is that man worth saving?” Silence’s finger was pointed directly at Lance, and it took all the strength she could muster to keep her hand steady. “Yes, I do.” Shadow’s voice held strong conviction as she spoke with a stiff posture, eyeing her sister for confirmation of her support. Silence nodded. “Good, then tell me what we need to do so you and I can make this happen. I sure as shit don’t want this man’s death on my hands either.” “Damn council,” Silence mouthed under her breath.

 

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Chapter Four Silence nervously rapped her knuckles against the door to room twenty-six and waited for the occupant to answer. Her heart raced like it had the first time she kissed a boy. She was overly anxious with all that was going on back at the clinic with Lance Hickman’s transformation. Even so, she couldn’t help but feel wonderfully excited and distracted by the man that lingered on the other side of the door. The door opened abruptly, and in the blink of an eye, she was hauled off her feet and securely surrounded by Walker Helmsley’s powerful, sexy arms. He took possession of her mouth without a word spoken. Instinctively, she responded to him just as she had done in the clinic, allowing him to take what he wanted from her, and she was willing to give him anything and everything. Walker set her back down on her feet, but not before he brought her fully inside his hotel room and closed the door behind him. As his delicious lips parted from hers, she held her eyes shut, enjoying the tingling caresses of his hands on her face. He stroked her bottom lip with his thumb, teasing her skin with the warmth of his touch. “Silence, have dinner with me.” His breath played upon her lips, tickling her senses, firing her blood and tormenting her with wicked, lustful thoughts. “No,” she whispered as her eyes fluttered open. Walker’s eyes widened. The alluring brown and gold in his eyes deepened at her unexpected rejection. “Why not? What’s happened over the last few hours that changed your mind?”

 

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She smiled. “Because, Mr. Helmsley, I don’t want to leave this room.” He arched a dark brow as she stroked along the soft, smooth skin of his bare torso with the pad of her finger. Her finger skimmed over the dark hair on his chest. “If you need food, Walker, I suggest you order in because until you make good on the promise you made to me earlier, your ass is not leaving my sight.” She placed her hand at the back of his neck, her fingers digging into the tight flesh, and she gently brought his face close to her. She nipped at his chin and then licked the seam of his lips, coaxing a deeper, more lust-filled kiss from him. Instantly, she leapt up his body, arms and legs encasing him in a possessive embrace. She kissed him again, but this time she was the one who controlled the fever that fueled their dueling mouths. Walker Helmsley was a temptation like she’d never imaged. He simply made her body come alive with renewed passions. She forgot everything except him, as if a magical spell compelled her to do so. He cradled her against him, the fingers of one hand weaving in her long blonde hair while the other massaged and squeezed her ass. He took her to the bed. The soft press of the mattress cushioned her fall as he dropped her sensually down. He ran a stiff hand through his hair, staring down at her. He breathed hard, his chest rising and falling as vigorously as hers was. “Wow,” he breathed. “I always knew you’d be like this.” He swallowed hard. “At least I had hoped so. I’ve dreamt of being with you for so long that I suddenly feel like a young boy rather than a grown man.” His face flushed with color. “Shit, maybe I shouldn’t have said that last part.” Smiling, she propped up on her elbows. Was it possible for her to feel more aroused by this charming, sexually yummy man? She didn’t think so. Her tongue danced behind her teeth as she gazed up at him. She couldn’t wait to have his naked, warm flesh rubbing erotically against her.

 

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Clad in only a pair of khaki pants, Walker was alarmingly sexy and a little mysterious. The way he effortlessly made her inhibitions fall to the curbside had never happened before. Swallowing back a nervous flutter of excitement, she said, “I need a shower.” She arched a brow. “Care to join me?” “I’ve already showered,” he murmured. It was not the answer she had hoped to hear, so she scooted to the edge of the bed and unbuttoned her shirt, sliding the fabric off her shoulders. As she stood, her bra-covered breasts brushed against his chest, and her shirt fell to the floor. “Then I guess that leaves you with one of two choices.” She kicked off her shoes and unzipped her pants, letting the material ease from her legs. “You can either join me or watch me.” She gazed up at him, nibbling on her bottom lip. Damn, he made her feel so sexy. “But don’t worry. I’ll let you know if I need any help.” She stepped to the side, moving in the direction of the bathroom, but he quickly grabbed her arm. “Oh no you don’t,” he scolded her with a grin. He quickly locked his arms around her waist, pulling her up against him. Her body dwarfed in the shadow of his. “I have no intentions of allowing you to soap up that succulent body alone.” He scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom, his mouth coming down on hers hard and fierce. Entering the bathroom, he kicked the door closed and placed her back against it. The cold chill of the white wood on her skin had her practically jumping into his chest, her arms tightening more fiercely around him. Suddenly, he tore his mouth from hers. As she stared up at him, she couldn’t breathe. The emotions filling her mind were overwhelming and addictive. His raw masculinity made her dizzy. The way his dark, alluring gaze enflamed her body sent jolts of electricity to each and every nerve ending. With just a glance, Walker had a primal way of making her feel desired. Not to mention the way he possessed her body had

 

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her longing for a full night of passion and romance like she’d never imagined possible. His powerful embrace had her gasping, her heart racing, and her toes curling. He gripped her ass, spreading her legs to rest at his waist as he held her, rubbing his hard, restricted cock against her pussy, robbing her of coherent thought. She cried out, meeting his fiery gaze once more. Her nails dug deep into his broad shoulders. “Oh God, Walker. I’ve wanted you for so long.” She kissed his face greedily, moving from one whiskered cheek to the other. He laughed with a triumphant roar. “I know.” She froze, staring at his smug expression. He bucked his hips up, stroking her pussy with his cock. “I doubt, however, you’ve wanted me more than I’ve wanted you.” She blew out a soft breath as his words floated over her. The tension she hadn’t realized lingered within her shoulders relaxed as he took her mouth again. He sampled her lips and tongue. His hunger for her so clear in the way he kissed her, but as he set her back onto her feet and pulled away, she nearly reached out and yanked him forward again to keep him from moving away. Her wolf was just as greedy for his affections as she was. This was more than just sex to her. She had an instinct to possess him and to be possessed by him. Grinning, he eased back, slowly unbuttoning his pants. The khaki material dropped to the floor, and he stepped free of them. His cock sprung forth from a dark patch of hair. Her eyes were glued on his impressive size. Holy wolf boy. She nearly crumpled to the floor in a blubbering heap, praising God above for making such a perfectly gorgeous man. A dark dusting of hair coated his sculpted chest, diving down his corded navel to a very impressive cock that stood at attention, ready to be mounted or sucked. She swallowed, nostrils flaring at the bountiful banquet before her.

 

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He rose to his full height, trapping her body between his and the door, pinning her arms up above her head as he kissed along her jaw, drawing his tongue over her throat, down past the swell of her breasts until he was kneeling in front of her. His beautiful brown eyes locked with hers, and suddenly her belly quivered when he wickedly smiled. She sucked in a breath as he slowly slid the silky black panties down her legs, assisting her as she stepped out of them. In an instant, he probed his tongue between her legs, grazing over the sensitive clit. He gripped her leg and raised it, her calf resting on his back giving him better access to her starved, wet pussy. Spreading the swollen lips of her cunt, he feasted on her clit, sucking on the tender bud until she had her hands weaving in his hair, pulling him closer and closer, not allowing him to stop his delicious torture. She screamed as the blinding pleasure soared. “Don’t stop,” she begged. “Please, don’t stop.” He licked her repeatedly, a maddening assault on her pussy. “I couldn’t if I wanted to.” Again he tasted her, his tongue swirling over her clit. “I’m addicted to your candy flavor.” He suckled her clit, and she gasped, his tongue flicking back and forth over the oversensitive button. “Silence,” he groaned. “I could eat you all night.” “Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screamed, her fingers gripping his hair. Suddenly, he was on his feet and she was back in his arms. He hauled her back off her feet and placed her ass on the bathroom counter. “Lay back,” he demanded. “When I make you come, I not only want to taste your honey coating my tongue, but I want to see how aroused your body can get.” She did exactly as he asked. She couldn’t think to do anything else. Not that she wanted to do anything else. His mouth on her pussy felt too perfect to have him stop. “My God. You are so beautiful,” he whispered, pressing her thighs wider, leaning in to take her pussy into his mouth once more.

 

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He parted the lips of her cunt, sliding his tongue deep into the channel of her pussy, fucking her with his mouth. She quivered as the fire of passions he created licked upon every inch of her skin. If she could, she’d have her fingers and hands dancing over his body, gripping his cock in her hand, stroking him until he came all over her. She longed to taste his cock like he tasted her pussy—to learn his body as he was hers. Then it happened. An alarming shiver charged from deep in her belly and spread all the way to her toes. She was coming, screaming his praises as he lit fire to her soul. Wringing every drop of her orgasm from her body, he licked and sucked until all the trembling ended. He wiped his mouth, stood, and moved to turn on the shower. When he returned, she was still lying spent and satisfied on the counter. Flipping the clasp of her bra, he removed the material from her body. He dipped his head down and placed one of her nipples into his mouth, sucking the tip until she hissed in response. The sting of pain felt so good, she didn’t want him to stop. Licking his lips, he asked her, “Are you ready to get into the shower?” Unable to speak, she nodded. “Good,” he said, picking her up and placing her in the shower, coming in to stand close behind her. Walker pulled her under the warm water, soaking her hair and body. He shampooed her hair then picked up a bar of soap and lathered it up in the washcloth he’d grabbed for her. The soothing caress he used to wash her body had her eyes closing. She leaned her head back against his chest as he began to thoroughly wash her breasts. Again he inclined her back to rinse her body of all the soap. Once she was fully rinsed, he whispered with a fiery lust in his voice, “Place the palms of your hands against the wall, Silence. I want to see your ass.”

 

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She trembled, not from fear, but from absolute sexual excitement. He was going to mount her like a primal and feral beast. He was going to possess her, own her, rule her, and she was thrilled by his need to take her this way. It was what she wanted and hadn’t even had to ask for. If only you were a lycan and wanted to possess me this way… Without hesitation, her palms pressed flat against the cool tile, and she bent forward enough that her back arched, temptingly placing her ass directly in front of his engorged cock. Stepping in close behind her, she looked down to see his legs standing between hers. She sucked in a breath when, instead of his cock probing her cunt, she felt his fingers. He pressed one finger inside her pussy, then another, slowly pulling them out and surging forward, fucking her with demanding strokes. She shuddered, pushing back against him, taking his fingers as deep as he could thrust them. She rode his fingers hard and inhaled a deep gulp of air as he inserted a third finger, stretching the tissues of her pussy. Gasping, she arched her back, letting him fill her. “Damn,” he breathed. “You really are incredibly sexy, Silence.” Within seconds he had his fingers removed from her pussy, and instead, the head of his cock teased the entrance to her sex. He gently probed, allowing only the head of his cock to tease her wet and ready cunt. “Walker, don’t tease me. Fuck me,” she ordered, bucking her hips back to try and force him to surge deep inside her. He took hold of her wildly gyrating hips and rubbed his erect cock over the crease of her ass, gently pressing against her. She sucked in a breath as she thought he might actually try to fuck her ass. “Does my girl like it rough?” Grinding her hips seductively over his pelvis, she asked him, “What do you think?” “I think I’m going to enjoy taking you this way.” He sank a little deeper inside her. “I’ve always wanted to have you like this.” A little

 

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further. “I want to hear you beg for me, Silence. I want to feel your tight pussy squeezing around my cock as I make you come.” He slammed in to the hilt. “Yes!” she screamed. Like a piston, he was surging his hips forward and back, retreating just to drill deep once again. “Ah, fuck me,” he murmured. “You’re so damn tight. I knew you’d feel like this.” He thrust his hips forward over and over again. The head of his cock glided over the spot in her body that had her eyes rolling toward the back of her head. “God, you feel so good,” she cried out, not wanting him to break the frenzied pace he fucked her with. Again and again, his cock teased over the delicious spot in her body that had her inching closer to a blissful release. “I’m about to come. Don’t stop, please don’t stop.” Walker didn’t stop. Instead, his frenzied pace turned into a full-on assault of her hungry pussy. She was dripping with the wetness of pleasure, sucking him in as deep as her body could take him. Lost on the edge of reason, she was prepared to dive right off into oblivion. “Oh. My. God,” she screamed as her pussy clenched tight around the thick cock filling her cunt. She rose to her toes, taking him all the way inside her as she rode the wave of her orgasm. He bucked repeatedly until she was done. Then he fucked her even harder. A fierce growl ripped from his chest as he gripped the back of her hair, pulling her up as he sank his teeth into her shoulder. She screamed at the sharp sting of pain that flooded her mind, the possession no longer the only thing that charged electrically between them. Now, it truly was something more primal and feral. As he continued to fuck her, her body froze within his hold. Her mind searched for answers. Driving his cock deeper into her body, Walker finally reached his own release and eased his hold on her hair. Once he had extracted his teeth from her shoulder, he relinquished another fierce and terrifying

 

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growl that had her scurrying to get away from him, but he wouldn’t let her go. His hold was too strong. He was too strong. What just happened? “Wait,” he growled in a voice she didn’t recognize. She placed her hand over the wound on her shoulder. “You bit me, Walker? Like a wolf would bite its mate. Explain what the hell just happened here.” She felt the rise and fall of his chest and knew he was trying to get control. Shit. She was trying to get control. “I need you to explain what just happened.” “Do not run from me, Silence,” he whispered as he nuzzled his cheek against hers. “I’m sorry that happened. I couldn’t stop myself.” Should she be afraid? She wasn’t, but she was very confused. The man she longed for and had for as long as she could remember suddenly didn’t seem human. His primal display screamed in her mind that he was like her—a wolf, but how was that possible? She twisted around in his arms to look at him. A silvery sparkle still lingered in his gaze. Shocked, she sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh my God. You are one of us!” She swallowed. “That’s how you knew about my kind and how you knew what I was.” She shook her head and looked away from him. She couldn’t believe what her eyes told her to be true. Walker Helmsley was a werewolf. He tensed around her, his muscles flexing as he kept her from fleeing his shower. He said, “Yes, I’m like you, but I’m also not like you.” Her brows furrowed. “What? That makes no sense.” “Sure it does. You never would’ve known I was like this had we not had sex, and you couldn’t sense the real me, could you?” She stared up at him. With all that just happened, why hadn’t she thought about that and how was he able to mask his scent from her and the other lycans? “No,” she finally admitted. “In fact, even my sister thought you were simply human. How is that possible?”

 

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He cradled her face in his hands. “Let’s get out of the shower and order some food. We can talk about it all night if that’s what you wish. I just want you to be okay with this.” She eyed him, locking gazes. “I think I would have been better had you shared this little surprise with me before you fucked me.” “I didn’t fuck you, Silence,” he practically growled. “I did so much more than that.” She shivered in response. He had done more than fuck her. He had claimed her. Biting her the way he had was a form of ownership, claiming his mate so no others would dare try and take what he believed belonged to him. He basically just pissed on her. She gently shoved against his chest. “Fine, I’d feel better if I was dressed anyway.” She turned from him, pushed open the shower door, and left the bathroom. She couldn’t think with him standing so enticingly in front of her. Wolf or not, Walker was too sexy for words and made her brains turn into mashed potatoes. Right now she needed all her brain cells functioning at full capacity. Walker seemed to know just how much time she needed to get dried off and dressed because he entered the room soon after with a towel draped around his hips. The muscular cut of his abs had her licking her lips. Is he trying to make this as difficult as possible on me? His body still glistened with the wetness of their shower. His chest rippled with muscles, and his waist was so tightly sculpted she wanted to run her tongue over every square inch. Shit! Stop, she groaned to herself. I’m in so much trouble… “Let’s talk,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Let’s not,” she told him, pointing at his towel. “You need to get dressed first.” His brow furrowed. “No, I’m comfortable the way I am. Besides, I don’t like wearing clothes when there’s a beautiful woman trapped in my bedroom.”

 

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Silence stood. A wall of nerves plummeted in her stomach. “I’m not trapped in here with you, and you can keep those sexual ideas confined in that brain of yours.” He grinned, and his eyes shimmered with more gold than she’d noticed before. “Look, it’s simple. My grandmother was a witch. She was madly in love with my grandfather, who was a werewolf. They mated and had little half-breeds. My mother and father were human, but the sweet little lycan gene showed up in my blood, and poof, a half-breed wolf pup was born.” Squinting, she ran a stiff hand through her damp hair. “But that still doesn’t explain why I couldn’t sense you, or why anyone else can’t for that matter.” He shrugged. “Like I said, my grandmother was a witch, and she cast a spell to take away the curse. It was easy because I’m only part wolf, and technically it’s not exactly gone, just dormant.” Silence paced the room as she made sense of his words. “So this spell only makes you appear human. You can still change on a full moon?” “No, I feel sick on the full moon because I don’t change, but that doesn’t happen often, so I’m good.” Silence sat on the edge of the bed, her knee brushing against his. “If you’re a lycan, why hide it from those like you?” He gazed down to look at the family ring on his middle finger. “It wasn’t my idea. My family was a little freaked, and since my grandfather had died, there was no one to help me through the change. My parents thought it was best.” She gazed up at him, her heart beating just a little different. “Do you want to be a wolf now? Is that why you bit me?” With amazing speed that only a lycan could possess, Walker had her wedged beneath him on the bed. “I bit you for one reason, Silence. I’m in love with you and have been since we were kids. I’ve always known I wanted you. I simply wasn’t sure if you wanted me, too.”

 

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All the air seemed to be sucked from the room as she gazed up at the man she had longed to hear those words from. “Oh, Walker,” she breathed. “This is all so much. I don’t know what to think.” “Don’t think, just feel.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “I know I should have talked to you sooner about all this, but when you came to me as you did tonight, I couldn’t help but think that you wanted me to take you the way I did. It felt so right between us. Something happened, and I instinctively claimed you.” He lowered his eyes, looking everywhere but at her. “I’m sorry if I sensed things wrong. I never wanted to hurt you.” “Oh, Walker,” she breathed again. “I’m not ready to tell you I love you, but I can tell you that I wanted you to do exactly what you did to me. I felt the instinct, too, and I craved it.” His eyes rounded as he stared down at her. “You craved it?” “Yes, I wanted you to take me the way you did, and I want…” “What? Tell me.” The desperation in his voice spoke to her with more than words. She could feel him as if he were a part of her—a piece of herself she had lost long ago, but miraculously found. She licked her lips. Her heart beating so incredibly fast she was sure he could feel it as he lay pressed against her. She admitted, “I want you to do it again.”

 

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Chapter Five Walker cursed under his breath as Silence’s cell phone rang. If she chose to answer it, he was tempted to tear it from her fingers and chunk it across the room in hopes that it would shatter into a million pieces. He’d gladly buy her a dozen new ones later if he didn’t think she’d kick his ass for being an overbearing prick. He constantly had to remind himself that she was a tough-as-nails, independent woman. Knowing that destroying her phone and stripping her of her independence was a terrible idea, and nothing good would come of making a choice for her, he decided to let her make the decision on who was more important, him or the mysterious caller. Sadly, at three in the morning, he didn’t need to see the name of the caller to know it was someone needing her as the town sheriff. With all that was going on around them, with menacing thugs roaming the city and now this wolf attack, how could he have expected anything less? However, things were different now. His heart told him so. He’d finally claimed the woman he’d always desired, and he had every intention of making love to her once again to prove just how much he wanted her—needed her—until the annoying ringing of her phone interrupted them. The responsibilities of her job were becoming a nuisance. He groaned as she reached between them to grab her cell from out of her pants pocket. He knew she’d chosen that damn contraption over him, and instantly he felt cheated. For the first time in his adult life, he felt the prickle of heat claw up his back and wrap around his throat as if the wolf deep inside him tried to choke him. His fingers

 

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and hands contracted, gripping tightly into the sheets beneath their bodies. He lowered his forehead to touch hers and practically growled as he begged, “Don’t answer the phone, Silence.” She frowned. “I have to. It could be my sister. I left her and a few others to handle things with Lance Hickman, and something could’ve happened. They might need my help.” She was right, and he hated it. She was the town sheriff, but if she’d let him take care of her, she’d never have to work again. Damn the person who called her, because their timing really sucked. He rolled his body to the side and lay on his back with his hands tucked behind his head, staring up at the ceiling, praying it was nothing and they’d soon be making love again. She quickly snatched her phone out of her pocket. “Sheriff Foster,” she answered. Her face distorted with worry as he watched her. Her eyes scanned back and forth so quickly, he knew instantly that something wasn’t right. Of course something is wrong. Why would I even think I’d get my perfect night with her? “Shadow, what’s happened?” As he listened to the concern in her voice, he decided he better get dressed. She wasn’t leaving without him. He didn’t want her going anywhere alone, town sheriff or not. “Calm down, Shadow, and tell me what happened.” A moment later, Silence rose to her feet. “I’m on my way,” she said as she hung up the phone and slid it back into her pocket. Turning to face him, she said, “I’m so sorry, Walker, but I’ve got to go. It seems the facility is under attack. Those lycans that attacked Lance want him back. It’s a freaking standoff at the clinic.” He arched a dark brow. “And you think I’m going to let you out of here knowing you’re about to walk right into hell?” She blew out a harsh breath and pointed a determined finger at him. “You have no control over me, and you couldn’t stop me if you tried. So please stop with the masculine bullshit.”

 

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He raised his arms in surrender. “You’re right, but that now means I’m going with you.” Her eyes widened. “No, it doesn’t,” she argued and all but chest bumped him as she stepped in close. “I’m not worrying about you, too. You need to stay put.” He pulled his .40 caliber Beretta from the holster under his jacket and showed her. Her brow furrowed, and the lines around her mouth deepened as she asked, “Walker, why do you have a gun?” His smiled widened, giving her his best photo-perfect grin. “I might not have your full wolf strength and speed, but last time I checked, even animals couldn’t outrun a bullet.” Her hands dug into her hips as she told him through clenched teeth, “Bullets will only piss them off.” He winked and said, “Not if they’re made of silver.” She folded her arms over her chest, displaying that she was not happy with his sarcastic sense of humor. “I don’t like the idea of you going with me.” He stepped in close to her and cupped her face in his hands, kissing her lips. “Cowboy up, sweetheart,” he said tersely. “Right now you don’t really have a say in what I do, and even if you did, there is no way in hell I’m going to let you march that cute little ass into that clinic alone.” He shook his head sternly, and his eyes focused on hers as the muscles flexed in his jaw. “Face it, Silence. You’re stuck with me.” He kissed her hard once more and patted her ass before he left the room. Seconds later she was trailing after him, mumbling not so nice pleasantries under her breath. Damn, he loved his little spitfire. He only wished he was fucking her again instead of running toward the gates of Hell. ****

 

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Lance’s eyes sprung open to the sound of scrambling feet and slamming doors. The ruckus around him literally sounded as if the walls around him were about to crash down at any moment. Instantly, his heart surged with the rush of blood and adrenaline that charged through his veins as panic and curiosity rattled him. Where am I? He tried to sit up, but his body wasn’t exactly cooperating. He felt as if he had been left out in the sweltering sun to fry. Coated in sweat, he whipped off the sheet that covered his naked body. Where are my clothes? Then he smelled it. The divine scent filled his nostrils each time he inhaled. His nose and senses became overwhelmed. Need and hunger fired inside him. He wasn’t sure what that scent was, but it had him licking his lips to find out its exact location. If not for the distraction, Lance may have cared why he was naked and now suddenly aroused. Focusing on the direction of the powerful aroma, he slowly hopped off the bed and made his way to the doors of the medical room. He quickly glanced through the window of the door to see that he was alone. No one loitered in the hall, but he could sense the presence of others. The sensation was unlike anything he’d ever felt. Somehow, he could actually feel their presences prickling along the skin of his neck and arms. Along with the scent of heaven that drove him in its pursuit, he could identify the unique odor of several males lingering nearby, as well as the sweeter fragrance of a woman. Listening closely, he assessed that they were in the room down the long corridor on the other side of the double doors. Good thing the smell he sought to find was in the opposite direction. Sure, he should probably care how and why he was in this medical facility, but honestly all he cared about at present was locating the succulent scent that had his body humming with awareness. The power of that aroma called to him, made his stomach growl as if he’d been starved and left for dead.

 

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Stalking up the corridor with a purpose, he shoved his way into the frigid room. The lights were out, but his eyes could identify the shapes of several gurneys covered in white sheets, and a wall covered in what appeared to be safes. He scrambled to the side of the entryway to find the light switch. Once he found it, and the lights above brought the room to a bright-white glow, he nearly choked at the sight before him. He was standing inside a morgue. The aroma that turned his body into a primal attack dog had sent him straight into the arms of death. “It’s not possible,” he muttered to himself. “I can’t smell the dead. Or can I?” Lance dropped to his knees as the hunger that drove him down the hall roared to life once again in his belly. He clawed at the tile floor in front of him. Then he fell back against the door, staring down at the eight lines he’d created in the tile with his hands. Gasping, he turned his hands over to gaze at the elongated nails on his hands—dark, malicious fingernails that dug through the tile like a knife through butter. What the hell is happening to me? An explosion rocked him forward. The door he once sat propped up against shoved him effortlessly as if he weighed no more than an ounce, flinging him deeper into the morgue. Shaking off the ringing in his ears, he scrambled to his feet and instinctively charged in the direction of those he’d sensed earlier. He had to figure out what was going on and what they had done to him. **** “Did you hear that?” Silence whispered, and knelt so that one knee rested on the ground. They took cover beside a few cars in the clinic parking lot. Walker placed his hand on the car on his left to help steady himself. “Hear it? I damn well felt it. What was that?” Just as he finished speaking, his slick cowboy boot slid over some shattered

 

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glass, making the explosion they’d just heard sound like a pin dropping. She held her breath and listened to the noises around them. Walker Helmsley had absolutely no covert skills, and he was most likely going to get them caught. The first thing she was going to do when this was over with was buy him a nice pair of combat boots. “Next time?” she muttered. “What?” Silence shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said as she moved beside her sister’s parked car toward the rear of the clinic. “It can’t be good.” Walker came up behind her and bumped into her. “I thought werewolves used their claws and teeth to attack. Not bombs.” “I don’t think these are normal lycans, Walker. The primal energy radiating around this place is off the charts.” She turned and locked eyes with him. “Can you feel it?” She watched as his throat moved in an exaggerated swallow. The lines around his mouth tightened as he gruffly said, “Unfortunately.” He leaned closer to her. “Ever since we made love, I’ve sensed a great deal more things.” Her tummy fluttered at the reminder of their unfinished evening. In that moment, kissing him was all she wanted to do, clumsy ass and all, but the smell of gas and smoke alerted her to more pressing matters. “Remind me later to have you go into more detail about just what making love to me has done to you.” He grinned. “With pleasure.” Smiling back at him, she said, “Now, stop being a flirting klutz and let’s find a way inside the clinic without getting ourselves blown up.” Walker’s mouth hung open. “I am so not a klutz.” She arched a brow and tried to hide the smile in her words as she said, “Whatever you say, billionaire cowboy.”

 

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His eyes narrowed as he held her gaze. “I don’t find you funny in the least bit.” “Good. I wasn’t trying to be funny. Now let’s go.” Walker was on her heels as they made their way toward the far back of the clinic. He didn’t miss a step. His actions and movements suddenly became stellar and precise. Perhaps being told he was a klutz bruised his ego enough to have him step up his game. Either way, it didn’t matter to her. They had to get inside the clinic, and there was only one way she knew about that could have them walking inside without being seen. At least she hoped that was the case. Her eyes scanned their surroundings as they moved deeper into the woods, moving further away from the rear of the building. “Where the hell are we going?” Walker asked, his dark-brown boots scraping along the loose gravel path. “It’s a secret. Now be quiet and follow me.” Like Alice down the rabbit hole, she jumped inside what appeared to be nothingness and prayed Walker would have the courage to follow her with no questions asked. The private entrance had been a well-kept secret from everyone that wasn’t part of the council. The clinic had been a meeting place for emergencies. This underground lair not only had a giant boardroom equipped with computers and weapons, but also thick-steel prison cells to house lycans who were unable to control the change in the beginning. The clinic sat on top of this secret facility, keeping its true identity concealed from nearly all. As Walker slid down the massive steel slide that lead into the secret location, she knew things might get a little tense between her and the council once word got out that someone other than the council members knew about the location. Right now, she couldn’t think about those consequences. All she could think about was getting up top and finding out how best to help her sister and the men she’d left to watch over Lance Hickman.

 

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Walker skidded to a stop on his ass and gazed up at her in wonder. “I can’t believe I just jumped into a dark hole beside the edge of a tree on blind faith. What the hell has gotten into me?” Smiling, she extended her hand to help him stand. “You trust me, Walker, and believe me when I tell you that that means more to me than you’ll ever know.” She pushed to her tiptoes and kissed him. Her heart swelled with pride. “I couldn’t say anything to you before we did it for fear someone would hear. Lycans have exceptional hearing.” Walker glanced back over his shoulder to look at the spot he had come through. “Can they follow us in?” “Not without opening the secret passage first, and even if by some chance they figured out how to open the passageway, we would hear them before they got anywhere near us.” Walker nodded. His expression was one of apprehension. She took hold of his hand, the one not holding his gun. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. Just stay close to me. I know my way around here like the back of my hand. Shadow and I use to play here as children. We found secret hideouts and passageways I don’t even think all the members of the council know about.” Following her down a long, darkened corridor, he asked her, “Your father was part of the council, wasn’t he?” “Yes, and once he died, I was appointed in his place.” Groaning, Walker said, “Lucky you.” She stopped and turned to face him. “How do you know about the council?” “Other than picking up a few tidbits of what you’ve told me tonight”—he paused with a grin—“I know a great deal about the council.” Folding her arms over her chest, she stared up at him. His dark eyes shimmered with flecks of gold. “How is that exactly?” Walker eased closer, eradicating all distance between them. “My grandfather was a lycan, remember.”

 

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She arched a brow. “So your family divulges all the secrets of our kind, but then strips you of the power of the wolf.” “Pretty much,” he said as his arm wrapped around her and pulled her close. “However, if they’d told me what it was going to feel like making love to my mate, I think I would’ve considered other options.” His lips came down on hers, and his tongue dove deep into her mouth. She suddenly forgot everything around her but the man holding her. The comfort and warmth she found in his touch had her body humming with renewed life. She’d dreamed of finding a man that would possess her heart completely, one that would never want another as he wanted her. Lucky for her, that man seemed to be Walker Helmsley, the one who captured her heart long ago and apparently never released it. Breaking the kiss, Walker gazed down at her. His lips glistened with the wetness he’d explored in her mouth. “I suggest we take care of business here immediately so I can get you back to my room.” Her face warm, she smiled and nodded, then turned to lead him to the stairs that would bring them up directly into the morgue. The last storage container was not a place for bodies to lie, but for those who needed entrance into the secret lair. She gently pushed on the door and partially opened it. Using her lycan senses, she couldn’t smell or sense anyone in the room except the dead. She quickly opened the door the remainder of the way and crawled through the opening. Walker did the same. Once she stood and inhaled a lungful of air, she caught his scent immediately. “He’s been in here,” she mumbled. “Who?” Gazing back over her shoulder, she told Walker, “Lance Hickman. He’s been in here, and recently, but I don’t know why.” She didn’t want to think that while she’d been making love to Walker, Lance suffered so much that her men had to kill him. She took another intake of air and waited for his scent to draw her toward

 

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a covered gurney, but it didn’t. Instead, it led her into the hall and in the direction of the main lobby. As she and Walker rounded the corner, her eyes locked on Lance’s. His sun-tanned and well-defined naked body had her gasping. He was aroused, and suddenly so was she. Lance stared back at her for a long moment, his crystal-blue eyes brightening to an intense shade of gray as he growled, “You!” Her eyes rounded, and she swallowed hard. “Mr. Hickman.” Licking his lips, Lance took another step toward her. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She felt Walker close in behind her, but there was something about Lance that told her he wouldn’t hurt her, something that told her to let him close the distance between them. She placed her hand on Walker’s chest, stopping his movements. She felt his heart pounding violently against her palm. Lance growled at Walker, and it was a possessive growl that had Silence wondering if it was such a good idea to have both men in the same room with her. Suddenly, she felt as if the flesh of her body was squeezing too tightly over her bones, suffocating her. The hair on her body stood on end, tingling from her head to her toes. She’d felt the pull of her wolf begging to come out and play. Her wolf was alarmingly attracted to Lance, and that was a dangerous mix. Walker might own her heart, but whether she wanted to admit it or not, Lance seemed to entice her wolf. With the full moon approaching, she didn’t think she’d have the strength to deny her wolf’s attraction to Lance. Looking into his eyes, feeling the energy pulsing out of him, she knew he desired her and planned to take her. Surprisingly, she didn’t want to stop him.

 

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Chapter Six “Walker, stop!” she ordered. “Send him away,” Lance said, growling at the man that smelled too much like the woman he planned to claim. The moment his eyes opened, desire fueled his thoughts and primal instincts called to him, telling him to take her. He wanted to have her, own her. The woman he was desperate for took a small step toward him. “Lance, I’m Sheriff Silence Foster. We need to talk,” she told him. “Now may not be the time for this.” His gaze moved back to hers. Blood surged so hard and fast through his veins the pounding left him close to deafness. “Now is the perfect time.” His cock swelled at the need charging through him, and he inclined his head in the direction of the man she called Walker. “Send him away before I kill him.” Walker stepped forward as if he thought his size would intimidate him. The pretty boy wouldn’t stand a chance. He’d easily tear his throat out with one little flick of his powerful hands and claws. Whatever was happening to him didn’t seem to matter anymore. He embraced the change and now craved it more than anything. He growled low in his throat. “I suggest you tell your little pet to leave before he finds himself a permanent guest of the morgue.” Silence inclined her head in Walker’s direction. “Please let me handle this. Stop interfering. You are only going to make things worse.” Walker locked gazes with her. His expression of astonishment revealed that he couldn’t believe she wanted him to leave. “You honestly think I’m going to leave so he can fuck you?” He gripped

 

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hold of her arm. “I might not be a full lycan, but I can smell what’s happening between you two, and I don’t like it.” “Walker, please,” she begged. “What’s going on in here? Oh my God,” muttered another woman who looked like the one he desired. Silence met her twin’s gaze as more men piled into the room. All looking as menacing as ever, but Lance didn’t care. He wasn’t threatened by anyone or anything. Nothing would stop him from claiming this woman and having her the way the urges running through his body commanded of him. “Shadow, please take Walker with you and show him where he can be of help. I’m going to talk with Lance.” The room erupted in argumentative conversation, and Silence placed her hand up to make them stop. “Everyone, please leave us. I’ll be all right.” “The hell you will,” Walker said with a growl. “I’m not leaving this room.” “Fine,” Silence said and reached for Lance’s hand. The moment her skin touched his, he felt the impulse to rip her clothing from her body. A jolt of power liquefied his body, igniting something deep and feral within him. She’s perfect, and she’s mine. “Come with me,” she told him, pulling him away from Walker and the others. “Silence, wait,” Shadow called after her, but she didn’t stop. Instead, she pulled him into a room down the hall and closed the door behind them. The second they were alone, he crushed himself against her, pinning her to the door. He found her mouth and kissed her as if his life depended on it. He moved his hands all over her body, frantic to undress her.

 

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To his relief, she didn’t fight him. The impulse he had was too strong. The electrifying power blazing between them was overwhelming. He’d removed her shirt and bra in record time and went to work on her body. “Oh God,” she cried out as his mouth clamped down on her nipple, sucking gently at first and then harder until the peak was painfully erect and she was clawing at his shoulders and neck. Lance was a man consumed by instinct. The only thing he knew was that he wanted this woman, needed her, and apparently she needed him, too. He bit her nipple, his teeth sinking softly into the tissue of her breast. She hissed, pulling at his hair and clawing his body. Then he felt his nails lengthening into claws, his teeth turning sharp, but the panic he’d felt earlier wasn’t there. Now all he experienced was the raw urge to mount his bitch. “Take off the rest of your clothes,” he said with a snarl. She did and was naked before him in seconds. He knelt in front of her, inhaling Walker’s scent. He gazed up at her. “I know you let him fuck you. I can smell him all over you.” She swallowed, her eyes widening. “I bet he didn’t fuck you like I’m about to do.” He took hold of her wrist and forced her onto her hands and knees, taking his position behind her ass and spread legs. His cock teased the entrance of her wet pussy, and then with a gasp, he shoved his way into the depths of her cunt. His chest tightened as he began to pound away at her pussy, fucking her as only an animal would. He gripped her hip with one hand and wrapped his other in the long, golden-blonde strands of her hair, using it like a leash. He wanted her as rough as he could take her, almost as if he were punishing her for fucking another. He’d take her so good and hard he would strike the memory of the other man forever. She’d crave his cock from this day forward.

 

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Sweat poured from his brow and chest as he slammed his dick repeatedly inside her pussy. The slick wetness enveloped his cock. His claws dug into her hip, keeping her at the perfect angle. Her wild pants of arousal were driving him mad. She bucked her hips, and he knew she was close to release. He could feel her tender pussy squeezing his cock even tighter. Just as he surged his hips forward, the wetness that surrounded his cock grew thicker. She cried out, and he took hold of her hair and yanked her back so that he could fuck her with her back pressed against his chest. On their knees, he wrapped his arm around her waist, anchoring her to him. A wild impulse begged him to taste her. Suddenly, he sank his teeth into her shoulder—the one opposite from where he’d noticed she’d been bitten before. As he fucked her, driving his cock deep into her saturated cunt, he kept his teeth locked into her flesh. She cried out, again and again as the connection between them seemed to explode. Then in a blinding flash of fury, lust, and need he came, filling her pussy with his release. A feral growl tore from his chest as he unclamped his mouth from her flesh. Slowly, easing his cock out of her, he sat back on his heels. His breaths came fast as he tried to regain himself. The primal urges he had faded, and his sanity returned. He looked up to see Silence gathering her clothing and covering her body. A sudden pang in his heart told him he might have been too rough on her, but he couldn’t help it. The rage inside him commanded him to do it. Holding her gaze, he asked, “Tell me why I just did that to you?” With her bra and panties on, she turned away from him and began buttoning her shirt. “You were attacked. Do you remember anything about that night?” The yellow eyes of demons flashed in his mind. “Yes, a little, I mean, I remember a wild dog in the road and I tried to avoid hitting it. When I did, I crashed my truck.”

 

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She slid her legs into her pants. “Do you remember anything else?” I remember snarling fangs and yellow eyes. I remember death breathing down my neck. “You should just tell me if you know anything. I really don’t have the patience for anything else. I know you know something. Why else would you have come in here and let me fuck you? I’m normally not the kind of guy who does one-night stands, and I’m certainly not the kind of guy that goes around threatening to kill people.” He rose to his feet and yanked a sheet from off the bed and wrapped it around his waist. “I feel like I’m being possessed by something, so if you know anything, please tell me.” Silence turned and faced him. The expression in her eyes was painfully serious. She moved to stand in front of him, but didn’t touch him. He was glad. As much as he enjoyed her caress, there was something about her that made him lose all traces of sanity. “Lance, you were attacked by werewolves. You were left for dead, but you didn’t die, and now you’re one of them.” It wasn’t exactly what he had expected her to say. He turned away from her and ran a stiff hand through his hair. He felt different, stronger, more sexually energized than he’d ever felt, but was that evidence enough that he’d been turned into a mythical creature? No. “Look, I appreciate that you’re trying to find humor in my situation, but I’m actually pretty serious about understanding what’s truly going on here. Something’s not right, and judging from your uniform, you’re law enforcement, so I could really use your help.” She nodded. “As I’ve told you already, my name is Sheriff Silence Foster. You met my twin sister earlier, Dr. Shadow Foster. We are both werewolves. I’ve lived in Silent Falls my entire life. I was named after this town, and I protect the human population from anything that goes bump in the night. That’s why we brought you here to this clinic rather than having you shipped off to the main hospital thirty miles

 

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north of here.” She held up her hand as he began to interject, but he thought better of it. Her look was so cold and threatening. The heat of passion no longer filled her blue eyes. “I know this all sounds insane to someone on the outside, but what I’ve told you is true.” He leaned against the table to his side, his fingers squeezing around the metal. He didn’t want to believe her. He’d prefer that he’d inhaled some chemical warfare shit that gave him wicked inhibitions, but were only temporary. What she was telling him seemed not only surreal and impossible, but permanent. “Silence, what you’re saying is a bit difficult to comprehend.” She nodded stiffly. “I realize that, but if you haven’t noticed, while we were in here fucking like animals, the world around us is falling apart. Those lycans that attacked you, for whatever reason, want you back. I won’t let that happen.” He glanced at her from over his shoulder, his stomach knotting and twisting at the reasons she would try to keep him safe. She didn’t know him, didn’t owe him anything. “Why not just give me to them? Why keep me hidden and protected away?” “We protect our own, Lance, and whether you like it or not, you are one of us now.” “You mean a werewolf or ‘lycan’ as you called those trying to get to me.” “Yes.” Guilt rocked his gut as he stared at her, flashes of the moments he’d possessed her body so vivid in his mind it was like he was taking her all over again. “Not that I really want to believe any of this, but I have to know one thing. Why was I so compelled to be with you? Why couldn’t I resist the urge to have you? Why did you let me?” She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I’ve heard of things like this happening to others in my pack, but never has anything like that happened to me.” She swallowed and took a step closer to him. “The wolf is what happened to us, Lance. We’re connected on a primal level, and no other will ever be able to do to

 

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me what you just did. I couldn’t have denied you even if I had another choice. I wanted you as much as you wanted me. All I wanted was for you to possess me, claim me. The instinct to be submissive was too much to ignore.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Is Walker your lover?” “Yes,” she whispered. “Even with him standing beside you, you wanted me?” She nodded. “The wolf instinct is that powerful?” “Yes,” she whispered again. “I’m afraid that if the need ever rose again where our wolves desired each other, no matter the circumstance, I’d never be able to resist. You now own a part of me that no other can.” “Does that mean you own a part of me now?” She nodded. “Yes, Lance. We will forever be connected.” He kissed her softly, and as he slowly pulled away, he caressed her bottom lip with his thumb. Even though the heat of the wolf was not fueling him, commanding him, there was still a part of him that was jealous in his need to have her. “Good. I scored big finding you. You’re hot,” he teased her, and she smiled. Holding her gaze, he cringed as a sharp pain stung his heart. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.” She glanced down for a moment, her hands pressed flat against his chest. “You didn’t. That’s the one nice thing about being a wolf. We like the rough stuff.” He brushed his fingers over the soft skin of her cheek and whispered, “That might be a good thing.” She arched a brow. “Why do you say that?” “Because we’re about to walk out of this room with everyone on the other side of that door knowing we just had sex.” He paused. His hands cradled the back of her skull, fingers weaving through her silky hair. “Especially Walker.”

 

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Chapter Seven “Are you out of your mind?” Shadow’s telepathic link to Silence was exceptionally strong and sounded as if she was using a bullhorn to communicate her thoughts. Damn the strength of their psychic bond. The intense invasion into her mind had her automatically raising the shields she’d learned to build over the years to block her thoughts. Telepathy was powerful among lycans and especially so between twins. Shields didn’t always work. Sharing a psychic link with her sister had come about much earlier than it did for most lycans. For them, the connection began even before birth—a supernatural connection that only twins possessed. Even though Shadow was questioning her about her actions, Silence knew that her sister already understood better than anyone else what had just happened to her. Her gut churned, and Silence was unwilling to speak on the topic of her and Lance. At the reminder of the man that had ruled over her wolf in a heated instant, she immediately looked around to see who was present in the room. Her eyes settled on the surrounding faces. Still wearing his deputy’s uniform, Gavin’s familiar brown eyes softened as he glanced down, and his broad shoulders slumped forward when he turned away. He was the closest thing to a brother she’d had, and he was clearly displeased with what had just occurred, but judging was not something he ever did—at least not with her. Seeing his posture shift and his inability to look her in the eye told her all she needed to know. He was disappointed. However, as a lycan, he understood the unrelenting power a wolf possessed over its

 

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mate. She knew that, but it didn’t strike the guilt she felt over her present situation. The muscles in Declan’s jaw ticked as he held her stare before casting his aqua-blue gaze in another direction. His soot-covered, white T-shirt clung to his defined chest and looked as though at any moment the muscles of his body might burst through the seams. Declan wasn’t the tallest of the men around her, but at six foot two, he wasn’t short either. He did, however, have more sinew and an attitude that demanded the respect he believed he deserved. Over the years as a warrior for their kind, Declan rightly earned their regard. Like always, Marcus stood beside Gaius. Both their bodies swelled with the strength of their wolves, looking as though the spirit of the wolf was somehow a phantasm surrounding their mountainous frames that only other lycans could sense. Always on alert, both Marcus and Gaius wore black military fatigues that matched their shoulder-length, black hair. Marcus’s deep ocean-blue eyes were unique and different and seemed to penetrate deep into her soul, scrutinizing and searching for what her mind and expression wouldn’t reveal. He had the remarkable ability to read people better than anyone she’d ever known. Gaius, on the other hand, had softer eyes— hazel with a speck of amber, and less intense—but he still possessed the same ability. They were as close to brothers as anyone could get. The only person missing was Walker. She glanced over at her sister. “As a doctor, lycan, and my twin, you of all people know exactly what happened between me and Lance, so there is no need to discuss it.” Shadow forced her hands to her hips, looking as furious as their mother used to when they’d been a little too mischievous. The penetrative stare had her remembering a time when one of them had broken a treasured lamp, but neither sister was willing to elicit blame. “Mating instinct or not, I can’t believe you just left Walker out here to listen to you having sex with another man. A man, I might add, you just met.” Shadow moved closer and growled through clenched

 

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teeth. “Walker went crazy. Gavin, Declan, Marcus, and Gaius all had to try and subdue him.” Shadow shoved her in the arm, catching her off guard and knocking her back a step. “I had to give him a sedative, for crying out loud. He was acting like a wolf whose mate was being savagely raped before his very eyes, defenseless to protect her.” Shadow’s gaze became an intense wall of emotion. Her eyes were focused and flickered with a trace of silver—the mark of her wolf. “Why would he act like that, Silence?” She didn’t want to be the one to share Walker’s secret, but at the same time he was the one who’d revealed to others more about himself than she could explain with lies and some off the fly cover-up story. “Where is he now?” Silence asked. “He’s in my office.” Silence nodded and glanced past her sister and into the main lobby where Gavin now stood with his back to them. “What’s going on outside? Are we still under attack?” Shadow sighed, and Silence didn’t have to be empathic to know that her sister was annoyed. Shadow hated when Silence managed to seamlessly change the subject, but there was no sense in arguing any further about what had transpired between Lance and her. Shadow knew that. “No. It seems when you disappeared with Lance, they stopped their assault on the clinic.” Even though that little fact should have pleased her, it didn’t. For whatever reason, her stomach suddenly swirled with nervousness and a powerful energy she hadn’t felt since her father’s passing. The sensation moved over her like a whispering wind. Keeping her emotions concealed, Silence said, “Good. Have the men keep their eyes open. The sun should be coming up soon, and I bet our unwelcome guest may have called it a night. We should be able to assess any damage and then make arrangements with the council on what preparations need to be done for tonight.”

 

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Without another word spoken, Silence turned and moved into Shadow’s office. Closing the door behind her, she pressed her back against the door. Walker sat at the desk with his head resting on his folded arms. Her voice trembled with apprehension as she called out, “Walker?” She knew he couldn’t understand what had happened. Shit, neither did she for that matter. Nothing like this had ever happened to anyone she’d ever known. Mating, yes, but never in her life had she ever heard of a situation where two wolves could claim the same mate. The two men seemed to be the opposite halves of each other. Walker was the heart, the love she’d always desired, while Lance appeared to be the animalistic side—the primal beast that awakened her wolf. The situation she found herself in was enough to drive the sanest person crazy. Twisted and confused, she chewed the inside of her mouth, her hands sweating as she searched for the right words to say. “Walker, please talk to me.” “Go away, Silence,” he practically snarled. His voice had altered into a feral beast without the physical attributes. “I’ve got nothing to say.” She expected to see the wolf lash out at her, but because of the magical spell his grandmother had cast over him, that wasn’t possible. She dug her nails into the palm of her hands. The stinging pain that throbbed up her arms helped to keep her grounded. “Walker, I need to explain.” “Yes,” he hissed. “You do, but right now I’m so damn loopy from whatever messed-up drug your sister injected me with that I can’t even hold my head up. So please. Just. Go. Away.” A wave of anger launched out of her as she roared, “No.” Her wolf had momentarily surfaced—an instinctive need to protect herself from harm, and in this case it was emotional distress. She was struggling with what she’d done, but more so, she was having difficulty looking at the man she’d clearly hurt.

 

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Walker rolled his head to the side, gazing up at her with glassy eyes. She put her hands palm side up to show she didn’t want to fight and rounded the desk to kneel beside him. Of its own accord, her hand reached out to touch his face, but she hesitated the second a bristly rumble moved from low in his throat. Dropping her hand to her bent knee, she closed her eyes for an instant and sighed. Heart racing at an uncontrollable speed, she stared at the man she’d betrayed. She didn’t want to feel regret, but it was an impossible task. She felt like weeping and so much more. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I need to explain something. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t even truly know how to explain what happened.” She paused. “Maybe if you didn’t mask your wolf...” His growl thundered around them with a force that had her reaching to take hold of the desk for balance. “You’re blaming me for what you did?” Walker’s white teeth seemed sharper and more animal-like than she’d ever noticed before. Was it possible his wolf was not so well hidden after all? She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I was about to say.” Licking her dry lips, she said, “Maybe if you didn’t mask your wolf, you’d understand what happened to Lance, and then you’d be able to explain it to me because I really can’t comprehend how I can be in love with you and have no control over my wolf.” Tears filled her eyes as guilt consumed her. “I thought that when a claiming happened, like the one you and I experienced, it was for life and the bond between wolves would be unbreakable.” He shakily raised his head. Pain and treachery filled his harsh gaze. “So you do blame me for the reason you were compelled to fuck a stranger.” Seething anger and disappointment fired into her. She could feel his emotions as if they were her own—another trait of the mating bond, a connection that should’ve been permanent but for some unknown reason it wasn’t. “No, that’s not what I said.”

 

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Walker’s head bobbled back and forth as he managed to find the strength to hold it up. “Right, in not so many words, you blame me for not being a real lycan. For not being animal enough to fuck you like a dog.” Instinctive rage flooded through her veins. She stood and grabbed hold of his shirt, twisting the fabric in her hands, and shoved him into a sitting position. Her face was a few inches from his. She could tell something was different about him, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “In so many ways you are no different from each other. You both even fucked me the exact same way. You both took me like a dog takes a bitch, but only you shared your heart with me.” He started to interject, but this time it was her turn to growl with elongated teeth. “I wanted you to be the one that possessed both my body and soul, and I’m sorry that things got screwed up. I had no idea what was going to happen between Lance and me.” She hesitated to continue but knew she had no choice. She had to tell him how she truly felt. “What I do know, Walker, is that I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I have since we were kids, but my wolf needs more than the emotions of love. My wolf has a primal calling, and Lance answered that call.” He looked away. His eyes were watery. He couldn’t deny what she’d confessed, and that was the part that hurt the most. Had Walker not relinquished his wolf, then perhaps none of this would’ve happened. “I don’t know what else to say. Other than I’m sorry and I hope one day you can forgive me for hurting you.” She released her hold on him and stepped away. Her heart severed into a million pieces as she stared down at him. “There’s nothing to forgive, Silence. You’re an animal, after all, and you were only doing what animals do.” “That’s not fair,” she cried. “You’re right about that, Silence. However, you won’t have to worry anymore about me. Once I can stand, I’m leaving.”

 

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Panic struck her hard, and her lungs suddenly felt deprived of oxygen. “Walker?” She made a motion to move toward him, but he snarled again and she froze in place. She could feel his wolf urging to the surface. If only he would allow that to happen. “What, Silence?” He gazed at her with frigid intensity. “I begged you not to do what you did. Obviously, you don’t love me as much as you say you do.” No, that wasn’t true. She didn’t want him to think that. I do love you with all my heart. “Walker, I—” “Stop talking, Silence! For once, do as your name suggests. I don’t want to hear anymore garbage spewing out of your mouth. I’m not like you, and I never will be.” For a long, chilled moment, she stared at him. A slow tick worked in her jaw as she compressed her teeth together, fighting to remain in control. It didn’t last long. “Well, that’s just tough shit! I’m not going to apologize for who and what I am. I shouldn’t have to. Personally, Walker,” she spat, “I don’t have to even give you another moment of my time.” She turned to leave and, with her hand on the doorknob, inclined her head to glance back at his wide-eyed expression. “Maybe getting rid of your wolf was not really one of your brightest ideas. I fear it’s turned you into a giant pussy.” Silence calmly closed the door and quickly disappeared into the ladies’ restroom. Clinging onto the counter, she erupted into tears. Heart-wrenching sobs shook her body. By the choices she made, she’d broken her own heart and destroyed the only love she’d ever known from a man. She was a fool. Perhaps she had been wrong. Maybe she was the one who should’ve found a way to mask her wolf…because then she’d still have Walker. ****

 

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Lance immediately felt Silence’s outcry of emotions. He could sense that something was wrong. She was in pain. Not physical pain, but emotional, and he could see it, feel it, and almost touch it like a beacon in the night. The sensation was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Hell, everything about his trip to Silent Falls had been a ride like nothing he’d ever witnessed. He craved Silence, but he couldn’t have her until he came to terms with the wolf inside him. He stopped walking in the direction he knew he would find her. Shaking his head, he decided he would not go to her until the moment where she wanted him as much as she desired Walker. After all, second fiddle was not his thing. Determined to stick with his plan to avoid Silence, he turned to head back to the group who waited together in the main lobby of the clinic. Dr. Foster’s office door opened, and in the doorway stood Walker. His wide frame filled the door, but in his weakened condition, even his massive size didn’t seem as impressive as it might’ve been otherwise. “What the fuck are you staring at, boy?” Walker might have been drug induced, but it was obvious that he still didn’t want to appear weak to the man that had just nailed his woman. A sudden burst of sexual pride had Lance’s chest puffing out. Cocking a brow, he said with a snicker, “I’m looking at you, halfbreed, and you look like shit.” Surprise lit his expression. Walker’s hands cradled around the edge of the door, and his nails bit into the wood frame. “What did you call me?” “You heard me. It might be my new lycan senses, but I can smell your wannabe wolf all over you. It’s like a nasty-ass perfume you just washed your pussy in.” He sucked in a long, exaggerated breath, inhaling as much of Walker’s scent as he could. Then his eyes flared open wide. “There’s something different about you. You’re not really a wolf, but then you’re not really human either.”

 

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Through clenched teeth, Walker said, “You should mind your own business, pup, and stay the fuck out of mine. That also includes keeping your little pecker away from Silence.” Lance erupted into laughter, a deep, hearty chuckle that had several of the other men coming to check out what was going on. “Little pecker? That’s not what had her screaming like a banshee as I showed her what a real wolf can do.” A fierce growl ripped from Walker’s chest as he sprung from the doorway, landing on top of Lance. Their bodies rolled on the floor, while their fists and legs pounded into each other’s bodies. Knees slammed into sternums, fists pounded into faces, and deep, thunderous roars erupted from them, the sound exploding inside the clinic like the walls themselves were coming down. Gripping Walker by his hair, Lance slammed his face several times against the hard, marble floor. Blood spattered everywhere, and the sound of cartilage snapping had Lance smiling just a little. The victorious moment was short-lived. Walker’s elbow came back, knocking into Lance with a force he’d expect from a Mack truck. The impact sent him hurdling to the side of the room. Without a second to even blink, Walker was all over him, punching his face and chest with an onslaught of wild and uncontrollable hits. The cold, hard look in his eyes was that of a man gone mad. Lance had expected Walker to be easy prey, but he wasn’t. His physical strength was much more intense and powerful than he’d once predicted, and a tingling energy permeated off his flesh like radiating sunburn. This proved his initial reaction to Walker was right. There was something different about him—a wolf, but not a wolf. If that was truly the case, than what the fuck was he? Lance was still coming to terms with the idea of being a lycan himself, and juggling something else supernatural didn’t seem like a job he cared to have. Instead, he reached deep inside himself and pulled his wolf closer to the surface. Walker might have unnatural physical strength, but it wouldn’t be enough against his.

 

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Lance’s heart raced, the blood pumping so fast through his veins it was all he could hear. Anger and jealousy swelled in his chest, and his claws and teeth lengthened. He wanted to rip Walker’s rich, prettyboy head from his shoulders and shove it square up his ass. The scent of Walker’s blood leaking from his nose and mouth had Lance’s stomach churning like acid. He was starving once again— ravenous for blood. The scent of his victim was making him crazed. Distracted by the absorbing energy the wolf provided, Lance was momentarily at a disadvantage. Being a young wolf, Lance hadn’t had time to master the change. He hadn’t figured out how to harness the powers of the lycan and still remain in human form. Walker took advantage, slamming his fist into his face before planting a firm boot in Lance’s chest, sending him flying back against the wall. The sheetrock cracked behind him from the force of the crash. Stunned once again by his strength and speed, Lance charged at him. This time Lance was ready for a full-out assault and primal annihilation. He was going to kill Walker with his bare hands. As Lance pounded down on the ground, running toward Walker, a massive hand connected with Lance’s chest and sent him sailing backward. He hit the wall, snapping his head back. His vision blurry, Lance tried to shake the waves of dizziness that rocked him. He could barely move. Suddenly, a clawed hand scraped against his chest as it gathered the fabric of his shirt in its hand and lifted him effortlessly off the ground. “I suggest you knock that shit off before I have you pinned to the ground, begging for your life.” The deep, menacing voice poured over him with alarming awareness. The power of this man gripping hold of him was so intense he felt his body shake in response. The warning was well received. Lance knew he had no business fighting others like himself. He was just a newbie. Honestly, if Walker hadn’t charged after him, he never would have. Fighting was not something Lance was accustomed to. He wasn’t raised to be this kind of man, but the animal

 

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nesting inside him was turning him into something he couldn’t quite get a handle on. Calming himself, Lance took several deep breaths, and slowly his vision returned. Gavin held him suspended in the air. His eyes were a fiery red, and his mouth was full of razor-sharp teeth. Seeing the power resonating from him was enough to make Lance’s throat constrict. Gavin looked ferocious and deadly. Lance patted Gavin on the shoulder and said calmly, “I’m okay. I won’t do anything stupid.” “You’re damn right you won’t. If you try that shit again—” Gavin’s threat went unspoken, but the message was heard loud and clear. Gavin slowly lowered Lance to the floor. Walker stood with his fists balled at his sides. The blood from his mouth and nose had been wiped on the sleeve of his gray suit jacket. The tall cowboy looked intensely pissed and out for death. Lance stared after Walker as he picked up his cowboy hat and placed it on his head. Then he simply turned and headed for the main lobby doors. “Walker, wait,” Shadow called out, taking hold of his arm. He didn’t turn to face her. He simply stood, towering beside her. “Shadow, your sister made her choice, and I’m not sticking around any longer to watch part two of wild kingdom.” He shook off her grasp, and with long strides was out the door and gone in a flash. For whatever reason, Lance suddenly felt bad for the brooding soul. He could only imagine how he’d feel if a man had done to him what he had done to Walker. A chill ran up his spine, and he turned to see Silence staring at him. Her soft blue eyes seemed magnified from the redness that surrounded them. Her tear-stained face was like a knife to his heart. Guilt was all-consuming as he realized what he’d done. Control was not a factor for him. He simply had none. When the wolf called to him and the urges took over, it was all he could think about. Now, staring into the eyes of the woman who’d not only saved his life but

 

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satisfied his wolf, he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel. What he did feel was completely confused and out of control.

 

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Chapter Eight The pain that saturated Silence’s heart felt like the calling of death. She’d gone and killed herself, turned her life into a complete disaster in less than twenty-four hours. Who was the dumbass who put her in charge? She couldn’t even take control of her own mind and body long enough to keep her from having sex with a man she’d just met. Now, she had a stranger staring at her and the love of her life had just marched his ass as far away from her as he could go. Judging from the vibrations she felt oozing out of him, he had no plans of returning. Had the room not been full of the men that looked to her to keep order in their small town, she would have crumbled to the floor and cried like a baby, longing for her mother. Crying, however, was not an option. She’d spent enough time in the bathroom feeling sorry for herself, judging her actions, waiting for the guilty verdict and punishment to come crashing down upon her, which did the moment Walker slipped away. Right now she was her own worst enemy and had to find a way to bottle up her personal issues and step up and take charge as the Sheriff she was required to be. Sighing, she said, “Marcus and Gaius, please secure the back of the clinic and assess the damage, if any, and report back. Declan, I’d like you to check out the front. Gavin, please assist Shadow and help her get this office up and running for business. We need to keep questions down to a minimum if possible.” “What about me?” Lance asked, stepping forward.

 

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Avoiding eye contact with him, she said, “I think it’s best you stay inside until we have a moment to figure out what we’re supposed to do next.” She glanced over to Shadow. “I’m going to call the council. We’re going to need their help.” Everyone disappeared. Silence turned to find a private room to call the council, and as soon as she did, she felt Lance’s presence envelop her. “Lance, I think you need to wait in the lobby. We shouldn’t be alone together. It’s not safe for either one of us.” I know it’s not safe for me. I can’t seem to keep my clothes on long enough to realize what I’m doing is wrong. He nodded. “What if those feelings arise again?” “They can’t,” she quickly said. “What happened between us wasn’t natural, and it will never happen again. Once you are able to control your wolf, you can leave and go back home. By that time you’ll know what is required of the wolf, and then you’ll be safe to go about your normal life.” He stepped closer to her. “Will I always want you like I do now? Because if I continue to hurt like I do, knowing what you are to me, I don’t think I could be anywhere but near you.” The sincerity in his voice had her gasping. Her eyes darted to meet his. “Lance, what you are feeling is just a side effect of the wolf.” “You make it sound like a disease.” “Technically, it’s a virus.” He smiled. “What if I don’t want things to be over between us?” He took another step toward her. The spark of electricity fired in her blood, and she found it difficult to breathe. “Lance, you don’t know what you are saying.” “I know that I crave you like a man craves oxygen. I can’t get you out of my head. I went crazy when I saw Walker. I wanted to rip his head off just because I knew he desired you.” Trapped by the bed, she gasped as Lance closed the distance between them. “I grew up a Southern gentleman, Silence. I’m a gentleman who just happens to

 

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know what a hard day’s labor is like.” He smiled at her, and the smile warmed her straight to her soul. “My mother would be furious if she’d known what I did to you without courting you like a man should a woman. Especially a woman I admire and respect.” Cradling her face in his hands, he whispered, “I want you, Silence. Whether you like it or not, I’m connected to you. I’m a part of you. I don’t know all the fancy terms, but I think it’s called ‘claiming,’ and I do claim you, Silence. I want you, and I know you want me, too.” She shuddered, arguing, “No, I don’t. I wanted Walker, but I messed that up when I let you fuck me. Now, please stop doing this.” She tried to squirm out of his hold, but he was quick and blocked her escape. “I’m sorry I screwed things up for you, but I don’t want to regret being without you. Seeing you hurting is my biggest grievance. Making love to you was not a mistake.” She gasped. “Making love? Lance, what we did wasn’t love.” He stroked her damp cheeks with his thumbs. “It can be, if you let me.” Tears stung her eyes. What she wanted was to understand what was happening to her. Learning why she’d given in so quickly to Lance without even a second to consider the pain she’d cause the man she loved. How could she do that to Walker? “Please, Lance, just go away.” She closed her eyes as more sobs came. He kissed her forehead. “I know that we just met, but I also know that there is something unique between us. What happened to us doesn’t just happen to people. I can’t explain why I want you so badly. I just do, and I’ll fight to have you in my life.” His mouth crushed against hers in a searing kiss. He molded his lips to hers and worked her mouth until she was pliant in his arms. Inside, she could feel the attraction deepening for him, and she knew he’d never give up his pursuit of her. She was in his blood now, and one night would never be enough—for either of them. She felt his

 

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need to possess her heart and claim her soul. Strangely, she wanted to give him both. He moved his mouth over her cheek and jaw, then down her neck. She sucked in a breath, her arms tightening around him, locking him in place against her. Instantly, his lust matched hers as their kiss grew harder and fiercer, their mouths and teeth tearing at one another’s. His hands dropped lower, cradling over the round curve of her ass, lifting her onto the bed. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. His hard cock ground against her pussy, and her body shrieked at her in response. Damn, she knew he wanted her, and he wasn’t hiding the emotions swirling through his head. The impulse to have him take her was so strong it was almost painful. He thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, and she was just as hungry as he was, returning the tantalizing pleasure. His hands moved over her body, caressing her breasts and heightening her arousal. Groaning through the kiss, his hands dipped lower, and she trembled as his fingers searched for the button on her pants. A moment later, she came to her senses and pulled away, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes widened as she realized that even after telling him she didn’t want him, her body clearly did. What am I doing? Shaking, she told him, “You have to leave me alone. Please, Lance, I can’t think when you’re this close, and right now I need to keep my control. Okay?” Why do I lose myself when he touches me? Staring at her, he cupped her cheeks in his hands. The rough pads of his fingers and palms grazed against her skin. His lips were red from their kiss, and she felt hers throbbing. He gently, but briefly pressed his lips to hers. “Whatever you need, but know this, Silence, I’m not going anywhere.” A chill tingled all along her skin once he cleared the room. She sighed heavily as her blood coursed thickly through her veins. Her

 

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mind and body were at war with one another, and her heart was caught in the middle—never in her life had she been so out of control. Taking several deep breaths, she took her cell phone out of her pocket and called Tim Dalton once again. This time she’d make sure the senior members of the council didn’t leave her to manage these events without the support of the entire council. With the events of last night, they’d have no choice but to get involved, because if they didn’t she was sure one of them might get killed. Or worse, the human population would discover their little secret. **** Alone, she dialed Tim Dalton’s number. “Good morning, Silence. How is our guest faring today?” She swallowed. “I’m afraid he’s doing a hell of a lot better than the rest of us are, sir.” She hoped her sarcastic tone would spark his interest. It did. “What happened?” “Sir, have you sensed anything strange with the rogue lycans that have decided to wreak havoc on our little town?” She felt his wall go up, blocking their lycan link before she even heard his response. “Why do you ask?” Aversion was not going to work for her. She honestly didn’t care if she pissed him off. At this point, she needed answers and she needed them now. “Sir, I’m sorry if this sounds like I’m a total bitch, but please don’t answer a question with a question. I’ve just spent the last twenty-four hours trying to keep things under control with Mr. Hickman only to have the clinic fall siege to an attack by our unwelcome guests.” His voice raised an octave as he asked, “They came for him?” His tone was laced with total surprise, and if she hadn’t known the man personally, she’d think he even sounded a little afraid.

 

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“Yes, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the last time we’ll be seeing them.” She paused. “Sir, there’s something very different about this werewolf. I get the feeling he’s older and knows more about our town than we would like. Are you sure you haven’t sensed anything that might help us identify who he is?” “You seem sure it’s a male. I thought you said it was a group of young lycans.” She had said that earlier, but she clearly remembered telling him she thought they were dealing with an older, more powerful lycan. How else could Lance have changed so rapidly? He knows something. Keep digging. “I can’t explain it, but I feel like the lycan leading these attacks is older and extremely powerful.” He said nothing for a long moment. “Where is Mr. Hickman now?” “He’s with me at the clinic. I’ll keep him in my custody until we have a chance to discuss things with the other members of the council.” Interjecting immediately, he said, “That won’t be necessary.” Won’t be necessary? “Sir, with all due respect, I called yesterday and asked for your help. You gave me none, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you blow me off this time as well.” She heard him draw in a deep breath. “You know, my dear, you remind me so much of your father.” She knew that wasn’t a compliment. Her father drove him nuts, keeping his ass on his toes, just like she was doing now. “Thank you, I’ve been told that before. Now, please set up a time that I can speak with the council and figure out who this lycan is that wants Lance Hickman so badly.” “We’ll come to you. The council will be at the clinic by eleven. Be sure you bring Mr. Hickman with you.” The line went dead. Silence’s chest bounced from the raging beat of her heart. She couldn’t believe how aggressively she’d spoken to the most senior member of the council. He could have her executed for disobedience

 

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if he saw fit. He’d have to have the council’s unanimous vote. Or he could just call the “cleaners” to come and handle things for him. She shivered, thinking that maybe she needed to reel in her emotions where Lance Hickman was concerned, especially if she was forced to be near him in the presence of the council. She couldn’t risk “raising skirt,” so to speak, in front of them. She knew it was bad enough that her tongue had a way of flapping out words that seemed to effortlessly charge right out of her head. Inhaling a deep lungful of air, she went in pursuit of her lusty lycan and prayed his libido would remain in check long enough to save both their lives. **** Lance scowled. “What’s a council?” Walking down the narrow hallway, Silence kept her eyes looking straight ahead as they moved deeper into the council chambers. “It’s a governing body of lycans who make sure our world and the human world don’t clash.” She glanced at him from over her shoulder and said, “They also decide the punishment for lycans that don’t follow the rules and are seen as a threat to our kind.” Lance’s brows sprung up. “They sound scary.” For a man who was built tough as nails and who wasn’t afraid of a hard day’s work, he sure did look like an adorable little boy when he said things like that. Stop doing that. She shook her head, trying to keep herself from getting emotionally attached. Things between them were hard enough to handle without her actually falling for him. She barely knew him. Was that even possible? “You should keep that in mind when you meet them.” For both our sakes. “Meet them. Is that where you’re taking me?”

 

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Silence studied the room. The boardroom used to conduct council business, the one she and Walker had snuck through earlier, was dark and musty. She flipped the switch and the lights buzzed with electricity, illuminating the once shadow-filled room. “Yes, and it looks like we’re the first to arrive.” A sudden change in the air had Silence gripping hold of Lance’s arm to pull him back and out of the way. The room was instantly engulfed with a blurry haze of motion. Silence knew the council members were arriving in lycan fashion, moving so quickly that the human eye was unable to detect them completely. A second later, seated at the table were the council members dressed in their traditional white robes, each staring at her as if they’d caught her stripping naked and doing unspeakable things on the table. Silence swallowed the lump in her throat. Generally, she was also seated at the table, not the one doing the talking, but the one doing the listening and assisting with problem solving. This position she found herself in was a tad overwhelming. “Silence, Councilman Dalton tells us you think we have a group of rogue lycans that want”— Councilwoman Shaw eyed Lance as if placing each detail of his face to memory—“Mr. Hickman.” “Yes, I do believe that there is a powerful lycan among those rogue lycans that is interested in Lance for reasons I’m unsure of.” “What is it you’d like from us?” The condescending tone in her voice sent Silence over the edge. What was going on with the council? Why didn’t they understand how dangerous this situation could be if it wasn’t handled properly? “Isn’t it obvious?” Silence hissed. “I need your help. We were attacked last night. They used explosives to try and infiltrate the clinic.” “Yes, but once you arrived, all was well, was it not?” The hair on Silence’s arms stood on end. “How did you know that?”

 

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Councilwoman Shaw arched a reddish brow. “It’s my job to know such things.” She shifted in her seat, casting a blank gaze to the rest of the council. “We’ll convene on the matter,” she said then turned back to Silence. “You’ll have our answer on what to do next before nightfall.” A wall of unrest slammed down around her. Had they lost their minds? What the hell was going on? “Wait, that doesn’t give us much time to prepare.” Before Silence could ask another question, the council members disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. The room felt more ghostly than ever. She stared after them, completely taken off guard by the way the council had conducted themselves. Never in all the time she’d been a part of the council had a meeting gone so…strangely. Lance was the first to speak, asking, “What was the point of me being here? They didn’t seem to want anything from me except to stare at me. I don’t get it. Something’s very strange about this whole ordeal.” “You got that right,” she said. “Something is very strange, and I think we’ve got more on our hands than we once thought.” Warning tingles sprung out all over her body as she pondered what was going on in her little town. Something was very off— dangerously off. If only my father were here to help me. He’d know what to do, and I bet he’d know who this bastard was terrorizing us. Taking a deep breath, Silence straightened her spine, realizing once again, she was left to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, she had to do a little research on her own, and that meant talking to the most elder person in their community—a person who knew about the lycan situation and wouldn’t run their mouth. Walker’s grandmother was the only woman she could trust. Grabbing Lance by the arm, she yanked him back down the hallway. She had to find a safe place to stash him while she visited Mrs. Reed. She only prayed she wouldn’t run into Walker when she did.

 

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Chapter Nine Walker pressed the doorbell and waited patiently. He’d come to terms with what had to be done and prayed that it wasn’t too late. He was at a loss. The one thing he did know was that leaving Silent Falls was not an option. There was too much at stake. Handing a gift-wrapped Silence over to Lance Hickman was the last thing he intended to do. He was also not about to let the town he loved and the people he cared about fall victim to a terrorizing group of lycans. He’d fight for the woman he’d spent his life pining over, and defend the lands he loved, even if it killed him. The white-painted wood door slowly opened, and there stood a sweet, tiny-framed, gray-haired old woman that he believed hung the moon. He smiled as best he could and said, “Nana, I need your help.” He stared into her concerned eyes. Her voice sounded frail as she told him, “Come inside, and tell me what’s got you so upset.” Walker stalked into the den, his shoulders slumped forward as if the weight of the world was pressing down upon him, and he actually felt like it was. He hoped, more than anything, that his grandmother had the answers to his questions. He prayed she could reverse the spell. “Nana, I want my wolf back.” The door closed with a solid thud. “You what?” she breathed. He twisted his hands together as if wringing them out like a towel. “I want to be who I was always meant to be. I want to be like my grandfather—a wolf.” For a long moment, his grandmother gawked at him. Her eyes fixed on his like deep, penetrating thorns. Then she moved around

 

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him, shouldering her way past him, and settled into a chair at the head of the dining table. Slowly, she sipped a cup of something steaming. Walker held his breath as he waited for her response. He’d had a deep suspicion that his grandmother would not be pleased that he wanted to be a wolf like his grandfather. Nana had long ago made it clear that she never thought much of the lycan ways. She never said why exactly, but he had a feeling it had everything to do with his grandfather’s passing. The cup she held clinked against the saucer as she placed it down. Gazing up at him, she questioned, “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain sheriff, would it?” Walker could never in a million years lie to his grandmother. She’d been his world even before his mother died. She might be the mother of his rotten-ass father, a man who cared more about his alcohol consumption than his family, but Annabel Reed was still a decent and good woman with a heart that swelled around him. He nodded with a smile and said, “At first maybe, but—“ His words froze in his mouth. They simply wouldn’t come out. He didn’t know how to explain what was going on inside him. Since the moment he’d made love to Silence, he felt different, like there was something burning inside his chest and it was screaming to be unleashed—a flaming energy that consumed every fiber within his body. He placed his cowboy hat on the wall hook in the foyer and ran a stiff hand through his hair. “I don’t know how to describe it. I feel altered in some way, like I’m not myself.” He groaned, frustrated with his lack of understanding over his own body. “Nana, I’ve claimed my mate, and since that time—” “You have fire in your belly?” The words moved from her mouth like she was the one experiencing the sensation. A chill washed over every inch of him. The words his grandmother had chosen to use were the exact ones he was prepared

 

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to say. He nodded again, and his mouth hung open just a little. Finally, he asked, “How did you know?” She waved her hand through the air. “Oh, Walker, the first time I was with your grandfather, I felt the same way.” He sighed, suddenly no longer intrigued by his grandmother’s words. She was a romantic at heart, but he thought of all people she would understand him best. “Nana, it’s not love in my gut I’m feeling. I mean, yes, I’m in love with Silence, but it’s different than that.” “Oh, I’m well aware of what it is, my boy.” She tapped the tabletop, beckoning him to sit beside her. “You might want to have a seat for this.” Walker pulled out the chair and sat down as instructed. His grandmother may have suggested he find a seat, but really what she was telling him was he had no choice. Annabel Reed may have looked tiny, but there was all spunk and spirit in the meek, little frame. “You’ve found your mate as both a lycan and a witch, Walker.” The palms of his hands were sweaty, and his stomach fluttered with nerves. “Come again.” Leaning her folded arms on the table, she said, “Darling, I’ve never kept secrets from you. I’ve always been honest about what I am and what your grandfather was. Did it ever occur to you that even though your parents weren’t lycans that they could’ve been like me?” He sucked in a breath. “My parents were witches?” “Yes, and I believe that you are not just a werewolf, but a witch as well. You are a hybrid in so many ways, Walker. The powers you could harness would be unstoppable and very dangerous if the wrong person every found out.” She reached to take his hand in hers, and the connection left a warm tingle gliding up his arm. “Witchcraft is not like anything else supernatural. Vampires and werewolves know who and what they are pretty much right off the bat, but witches…they come into their powers at any given time.” She smiled softly.

 

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“Walker, your mating with Silence drew out your magic, and that is the fire you feel in your gut.” He gawked at his grandmother, waiting for her expression to shift to humor, but when it didn’t, he rasped, “Holy shit.” His grandmother scoffed and said, “Exactly.” Walker grasped his grandmother’s delicate hand a little tighter. “I’m sorry, Nana. I didn’t mean to speak like that in front of you.” She patted his hand in a comforting gesture and then said, “No apologies needed, Walker. I bet you’d fall off your chair if you heard what shot out of my mouth when my mother sat me down for a talk just like you and I are having now. When I found out I was a witch, I accidently set fire to the drapes in the kitchen.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “Needless to say, your great-grandmother wasn’t very happy with me.” He couldn’t help but smile. “No, I’m sure she wasn’t.” The joy-filled expression she’d just had faded as she asked him, “Walker, are you sure this is what you want? The power you harness inside you would be so intoxicating. Managing those powers will be difficult and would require a lot of practice and patience. You would have to learn how to use them and not allow the power to rule over you.” She instantly looked worried. “It’s addictive, the power that comes from being a witch. I’ve seen many get lost to its allure, and they were never the same.” “That won’t happen to me, Nana. I have you to teach me.” She kissed his hand. “So this is what you want?” “Yes, Nana, it is.” “Before I undo the spell that is keeping your lycan and most likely your true witch powers bonded, there is something you should know.” She swallowed hard. “Walker, your mother was once—“ There was a knock at the door, and Walker could have slammed his fist into the table. His grandmother was about to tell him something about his mother, and judging from the look in her eyes, it wasn’t something she was proud to share.

 

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Shit. “Are you expecting someone, Nana?” She pressed her lips together into a pain-filled smile. “Actually, yes.” Annabel pushed away from the table and made her way to the front door. The moment he heard Silence’s voice, he wished he had arrived sooner so he wouldn’t have to face her. He wasn’t ready. The next time he saw the woman he loved, he would be the lycan she could be honored to call her mate and there’d be no need to have Lance Hickman hanging around any longer. **** Silence stood at the door, waiting for Annabel Reed to answer. Just before she’d left the clinic, Silence had called to check in with Mrs. Reed. Showing up unannounced was improper, and secretly Silence did it so she could give Walker a heads-up in case he’d come to visit his grandmother. Whether Silence liked it or not, Walker may not want to see her again, and she’d have to come to terms with that soon enough. At present, what she needed was to find out what Mrs. Reed knew about any mysterious events surrounding the council and anything she could share in regards to dysfunctional lycans that may have been around when her parents and Mr. Reed had been alive. As members of the council, they’d have insight. As the wife of a lycan councilman, Silence believed Mrs. Reed shared that insight. With any luck, Mrs. Reed would know exactly who their mystery lycan was. The door opened, and Annabel Reed smiled. “Good morning, Sheriff Foster, please come in.” “Thank you, Mrs. Reed, but you of all people know you can call me Silence.” “Well, I’ll only do that if you call me Nana.”

 

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“Deal,” Silence said with a smile, stepping inside Annabel’s spacious country home. Rustic, wide-open spaces with big, bulky furnishings filled the rooms. A large, fluffy, soft-blue recliner cried to be settled into with a knitted blanket, good book, and a cup of steaming coffee or tea. Annabel’s home had a welcoming vibration to it, and for as long as Silence could remember, it always had. Being inside the home where she’d often dreamed of spending her childhood playing made her heart squeeze. She’d always been connected to Walker and wished more than anything that she could find a way to make things right between them once again. Silence followed Mrs. Reed into the dining room, and she quickly gathered that Walker had been there recently. His scent still lingered, and the energy that pulsed from him was still present. Silence was compelled to run after him, but she couldn’t get her mind and feet to agree. “Did I interrupt anything?” Silence asked. “No, I was just visiting with Walker.” She scowled, glancing around the room. “It would appear he’s left.” She shrugged. “Maybe he just stepped outside.” Silence wished that was where he’d gone, but she knew he’d heard her voice or knew she was coming over and left the moment she arrived. He didn’t want to face her. “What can I do for you, my dear? You said you had questions about the council.” Mrs. Reed walked to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of water, placing it in front of Silence, gesturing for her to take the seat beside her. “I know you are aware that we’ve got some unwelcome visitors in our town.” “Yes,” she said, nodding and sipping her drink. “Well, I think the lycan in charge of the violence is somehow familiar with our community, and judging from the evasive reaction the council gave me, I think they are well aware who is terrorizing

 

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Silent Falls.” Silence licked her dry lips and quickly took a drink of her water. “So you think this lead lycan might’ve been around when my husband and your father were part of the council?” Silence nodded. That was exactly what she believed. There was a connection somewhere, she just knew it. The behavior of the council, the way they seemed to avoid her questions, and the manner in which they inspected Lance all made her feel as if they knew a hell of a lot more then they let on. Frowning, Annabel said, “Silence, I wish I could tell you I knew exactly who this lycan was, but I can’t. I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking.” She tapped her finger on the table nervously. “Dutch was secretive about so many things concerning council business. If he thought for one second that something was over my head, he’d simply keep it to himself. He didn’t always share details with me.” She took another sip, and Silence watched her hands shaking more than usual. “I’m afraid I’ve just gotten so old, my mind isn’t what it used to be.” Silence could feel the wall of energy spring up around her. Annabel Reed was hiding something. Why did everyone wish to keep her in the dark? “Nana, are you sure you don’t remember anyone that might have been a guest of the council or even a council member who was banned? Maybe a visitor from another pack that had some kind of falling out?” She shook her head, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for something. “I truly can’t say I remember anything like that.” She smiled, but the gesture didn’t reach her eyes. “If I happen to think of anything, you’ll be the first person I call.” “I appreciate that.” Silence stood. She didn’t want to overstay her welcome, nor did she wish to upset the old woman, but she had one more question that she had to ask. “Nana, do you believe Mr. Reed’s death was an accident?” “Why are you asking me that?”

 

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“I’m sorry. I know it’s not a subject you wish to think about, but I’ve been thinking that perhaps there’s more to my parents’ death than once investigated. Since Mr. Reed died close to the same time, I thought there might be a connection with the reason the council is being so secretive with me.” Annabel inhaled a deep gulp of air and slowly blew it out. “Dear, you really shouldn’t think so hard. You’re going to give yourself an aneurysm.” She moved around Silence and led her back to the front door. “Now, like I said, should I think of anything, I’ll be sure to contact you immediately.” Silence tried to smile. “Thank you, Nana.” The moment the door closed behind her, she called her office and asked for all the files on both Mr. Dutch Reed and her parents to be put on her desk. She was going to do some digging of her own. For whatever reason, everyone around her seemed to want to avoid telling her the truth, which only made her believe even more that there was a serious connection between the council members and their mystery lycan. **** Walker popped out from around the corner of the living room and said, “You lied to her, Nana.” She spun around to face him, her hands digging into her hips. “Of course I did, Walker. What she’s asking of me could get her killed, and I won’t have that on my hands.” Brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?” Annabel moved closer to her grandson, her hands grasping hold of his arms as she said, “Walker, your mother had an affair almost thirty years ago. The man she was with was named Verrick something. It’s been so long I can’t remember his full name, but I do know that he won your mother’s trust unnaturally fast.” Her eyes narrowed. “I was

 

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no fool to his wicked ways. He was after your mother’s powers and he—” Walker took a seat on the couch, his eyes and mouth both open wide. “My mother cheated on my father?” Annabel nodded as she sat beside him. “I’m so sorry to just blurt it out without feeling, but I truly believe that this could be the lycan who’s come to town.” A sudden wave of power sank to his stomach, and a dozen questions swirled in his head. “Why would he come back now? What does he want?” Annabel took hold of his hand, squeezing it gently. The whites of her eyes became more prominent as she said, “Isn’t it obvious, Walker? He wants you.”

 

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Chapter Ten Silence sleepily sauntered into her cluttered apartment and instantly kicked off her boots. Flipping on every light switch, she navigated her way over discarded shoes, magazines, and even clothing that she’d yanked off and tossed the moment she walked through the door. Long days and sleepless nights made straightening up the last thing on her mind. Her hip grazed the back of a tan suede recliner that doubled as a clothing rack. The kitchen itself wasn’t a mess outside of the sink that was stacked high with dirty dishes. Cleanliness might be next to godliness, but with a busy schedule like the one she’d had over the last several weeks, it was going to take an army of maids to help tidy up this quaint one-bedroom apartment, either that or possibly a vacation, and at the moment that didn’t seem possible. Making her way to the refrigerator, she grabbed a cold beer, popped the top, and chugged back several gulps. With a long, drawnout gasp, she leaned against the counter and thought about the day she’d had. Lucky for her, she had decided not to visit the nearest bar before heading home. As it was, her day had sucked, but as much as she would’ve enjoyed drowning her worries away at the only pub in town, Roscoe’s Roadhouse, she was sure every patron in town would have unloaded a ton of questions on her. Why was she there? An obvious question considering she never imbibed in public. What’s going on in their private little town? Who’s raising all kinds of hell, destroying and vandalizing private and public property? Is it safe?

 

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There was no such thing as a private life for a public servant. Once she was in the sights of the townsfolk, she was fair game and visible for attack. Frankly, Silence didn’t care much for talking anymore about it, and in large part to her sanity and sheer will, she avoided the turnoff that would’ve taken her right to the bar. She knew she needed a clear head in order to spend the time needed to sort through the files she picked up from her office. The stack of papers was thinner than she’d remembered, and that troubled her. When she’d first taken a look at her parents’ case when she’d joined the sheriff’s office, she recalled there being several eyewitness accounts of the accident. After a quick perusal through the files, she noted that all names had been removed, as if an investigation had never been conducted. What the hell is going on? Flopping down onto her tan suede sofa, now covered in throw blankets and dirty laundry, she opened up Dutch Reed’s file. The opening profile page was stamped with the words “Accidental Death”. The man had fallen off a cliff. What seemed odd to her kind, especially Silence, was that lycans had outstanding balance, and there weren’t too many cliffs in Silent Falls to accidently fall from. The entire situation smelled foul and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Could someone from the council have killed Dutch Reed and her parents, and if that were the case, then what was the reason? What had they seen or done to make them the target for murder? Had her parents and Dutch been investigating something that the rest of the council wanted left alone? Was it some kind of conspiracy? Were they onto something that would’ve changed the council forever? A shiver charged up her spine as she considered the possibility that she was placing herself in danger by digging up the past. Her instincts were shouting that there was so much more going on than she might ever uncover, but her drive to learn more wouldn’t allow

 

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her to stop. She knew it might be a mistake, acting like the virgin who went in search of the strange noise in the middle of the night, but she couldn’t help it. Finding out how to protect Lance and freeing her town had to be her first priorities, regardless of the dangers. Perhaps that was why the council was hiding information from her. Either they didn’t want her to dig things up because it would reveal a secret about a council member they’d rather stayed buried, or they were actually trying to protect Silence and the town from something awful. As much as she would’ve liked to believe their avoidance was for her own good, she felt it might be more the other. After hours of reading and rereading the same no-answers-to-befound material, she decided to give up and take a shower. Stripping down, she darted into the bathroom to take care of business. Once done, she grabbed an oversized white T-shirt and black panties and sank into bed. The curtains in her apartment were already drawn shut, as she was used to having to catch a few hours of sleep whenever possible. The blacked-out rooms were as dark as if night had already fallen. The moment she closed her eyes, Walker’s intoxicating scent filled her nose, and Lance’s chiseled, gorgeous face filled her mind. Suddenly, her thoughts were on the way their cocks felt sliding inside her. The difference between the ways each fucked her was so profound, rough and possessive, relaxed and sensual. Their unique lovemaking styles made no never mind to her. They were both equally exquisite, and her pussy throbbed and clenched just remembering how each made her feel. Groaning, she shifted her position on the bed to cover her head with the pillow. When she did, her nipples scraped against the T-shirt, and instantly the clothing she wore only made her feel more aroused. She’d give anything to have these men in her bed, pleasuring her through all hours of the night. The more she tried to ignore the men in her life, the more her body reacted with need and desire. Rolling over to lay flat on her

 

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back, she wondered if she should simply slide her fingers into her panties and caress her clit until she came. At this point, masturbating was her only option, considering it wasn’t likely that either Walker or Lance would arrive to satisfy her. Then she heard the shift in the corner of her room, and her eyes batted open. Cloaked in black, a tall figure moved from the shadows and stood at the foot of her bed. The grace with which he moved had her eyes widening and her fingers curling around the sheets of the bed. Her pulse pounded, and she wished she had her gun. She’d been so exhausted when she finally hit the bed that she simply forgot to pick her firearm up off of the floor. Reaching for it might be impossible if what she was staring at in the dark was something supernatural in nature. The electricity licking over her skin told her not only was the man in the dark a lycan, but he was frighteningly powerful. “Turn on the light, Silence. It’s better to see who’s come to visit.” The buttery smoothness of his voice had her body squirming to reach the light. She had to know who the seductive voice belonged to and who possessed the power that had her body warming with heat and shivering from cold all at once. Are you out of your mind? Focus on who would dare come into your room in the middle of the day uninvited. Then, as she was about to turn on her lamp, it dawned on her just who was standing so causally at the foot of her bed. It was the lycan who had turned Lance. The power pouring out of his body was familiar, like an echo she’d felt once before. She’d recognized it when she’d found Lance after he’d been attacked and again at the clinic with Walker. The light flashed on, and she sucked in a sharp breath. No older than his midforties, her unwelcome guest stood at least six foot three and had shoulders that stretched broader than most. His frame was solid and firm with muscles. A dark tan and close-cut, midnight-black hair enhanced the hazel green of his eyes.

 

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What? Did she expect him to look hideous and deformed? To be honest, she hoped he did. It would be easier to consider him a monster if he looked the part. At present, he looked like someone any girl would be thrilled to— He cleared his throat as if he’d heard her thoughts. Shit, he probably can. Folding his arms over his chest, he grinned down at her and slowly arched a dark brow. “Silence Foster. How lovely it is to see you again. What’s it been? Ten years?” Pausing, he snapped his clawed fingers together. “No, no, I remember now. Time does fly so fast. It’s been exactly seventeen years since I last saw your young face standing next to your father at the council meeting. You seemed so innocent at the time.” He smiled. “Now look at you.” He glided around the bed and stood beside her, raising his hand to cup her cheek. She cringed as his claws dug into the back of her neck. “All grown-up with two lycans to fuck and fight over you. How delightful.” He laughed and released his hold on her. “You can thank me for that, by the way. I just couldn’t allow the prodigal son’s return to keep you from focusing on town business. After all, you were about to have your hands full with me.” His smile widened. Prodigal son? “What are you talking about?” He tsked under his tongue. “Really, Silence, you need to stop being so naïve. You’d make a lousy investigator.” He cast a wicked glance over her body, and she felt the heat of his stare as he inspected her. Immediately, she folded her arms over her chest. “Explain things to me, then, and start by telling me who the hell you are.” “If only your father were here, this moment would be perfect.” As hard as it was to not demand he tell her everything, she managed to keep her words suppressed. She hoped the uncomfortable silence between them would keep him talking. It did just that. He winked. “I always did hate the silent treatment,” he said, teasing with a grin. “My name is Verrick Marshall, and I once lived in

 

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Silent Falls. That was until I had a little misunderstanding with your precious council, mainly your father and Walker Reed’s grandfather, Dutch, as it were, but I got my revenge.” She swallowed the bile rising up in her throat. “What kind of revenge?” “The only kind I like, my dear. The kind of revenge that ends with them dead and me very much alive and more powerful.” His confession overpowered her. Her chest became tight as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. “You killed my parents by setting fire to their car with them inside it, and you pushed Dutch Reed off a cliff,” she stated coldly. He let out a hearty chuckle. The proud swell in his chest made her hate him even more. “I know it must be a shock to you, but it really was for the best. They had become such a nuisance to me, and they had given me no other choice but to see to their deaths. I really was most humane about the ordeal.” The pull of her wolf was edging closer to the surface. Her nails and teeth throbbed with awareness and need. She was ready to tear his throat out where he stood. Through clenched teeth, she said, “My parents were burned alive, and Dutch Reed’s body was mangled by sharp rocks and boulders. Neither family could have open caskets at the funeral. How is either of those humane?” Verrick shrugged. “Well, I could have just as easily ripped their heads from their bodies and fed them to the animals.” Keep your cool, Silence. It’s not every day you come face-to-face with your parents’ killer. “You are a sick son of a bitch, you know that?” He began to pace her room, riffling through items on her dresser. “Tell me, Silence, what did you hope to uncover by going to the Reed estate?” She arched a brow. How did he know where she’d been? Had he been following her? Had she placed Annabel and Walker in danger by doing so?

 

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Nerves swirled and slithered like snakes in her gut as he answered, “Yes, I know you were there today. I watched you. I’ve been watching you.” I want you to leave. He stopped his investigation of her room, turned, and smiled at her. “First you want to find me and kill me, saving your little town from the menacing lycans running amuck, and now you just want me to leave?” She did want him to leave. She needed him to leave, but first she had to stop him from reading her thoughts, if that was even possible. “So you are reading my mind. How nice, considering I didn’t remember inviting you to do so.” His eyes flashed a devilish red as he said, “Well, I don’t really need your permission. I’m strong enough to break through any barrier you can erect, Ms. Foster. Try as you may, nothing you do will keep me out of that lovely head of yours.” Anger and fear churned inside her. “What do you want?” Verrick blurted out, “I want Walker, of course, and I want you to stay the fuck away from him.” Her heart seemed to stop beating. “Why?” He studied her for a long moment, his eyes focusing on hers as if he were trying to reach inside her thoughts, pulling every last memory out of her. “You truly don’t know what Walker Reed is, do you?” “I know who and what Walker is, and he’s a good man.” He sat down in a chair in the corner across from the bed next to the only window in her room. “You really don’t know.” He chuckled in an astounding I know something you don’t know manner. “I’m truly surprised our boy hasn’t shared his life with you. Walker is very special, my dear. He’s more than just a wolf. He’s a hybrid. A rare, but powerful lycan that can keep his wolf controlled even during the full moon. Do you know how dangerous that would be for the rest of us? A lycan who could so easily pass for human at all times?” He shook his head. “I couldn’t risk that he would unbind himself and

 

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want to be a wolf for you, so I put Lance in your path. I knew the attraction between you would be instant, but I had no idea how your wolves would crave one another’s. That was a bonus. Since Walker wasn’t able to satisfy you the way a true wolf would his mate, I was counting on Lance to step up to the plate, and he did. From what I heard when the two of you were fucking, he did a very nice job.” She should have been embarrassed by what he said, but she wasn’t. She couldn’t get the faces of Walker or Lance out of her head. Both her mates were suddenly tangled into this web of shit with her. “Why did you try to capture Lance last night if he’s supposed to be a distraction for me?” She leaned forward on the bed, her legs resting over the edge of the mattress. He clapped his hand together as if warming them from the cold. “I needed to get you and Lance together again, and I knew he’d progressed far enough that his wolf would be very horny. I only hoped he’d remembered you from the accident. After all, you were the first woman he saw.” He shrugged as he said, “I also couldn’t very well let you have all the fun training him, now could I?” Everything about Lance was a setup. Her stomach knotted. Brow furrowed, she said, “You want him to be like you, a monster who prays on the innocence of others.” He hissed. “Stop being so dramatic, Silence. I merely wanted him to infiltrate your pack.” She shook her head. That was too easy of an explanation, and she knew there was more to his story. “I don’t think so.” “You doubt me, precious?” Her skin crawled at the way he called her “precious,” sounding almost as if he’d planned to caress her with sweet words to coax whatever he sought from her. “I don’t doubt what you’ve shared with me about Walker, but I think there’s a whole lot more to your nefarious plans than you’re leading me to believe.” “You really are too smart for your own good.” Verrick grinned, his white teeth gleaming at her. “Okay, I’ll share more. I think you’ll

 

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enjoy this.” He rose from his chair and moved over to the bed, crawling toward Silence. She stood to move away, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back. She fell to the side, but was kicking him away the moment her body bounced on the bed. His actions were faster, his strength impossible to match as he held her down underneath him. “Don’t worry, Silence. I just wanted you to know the most intimate details of my reasons for being here.” He sniffed her hair, pulling his head back fast as she tried to headbutt him. Damn. She struggled beneath him. “Quit playing games, Verrick, and just spit it out.” “Very well,” he said, pinning her arms above her head and locking her legs down with his lower half, his torso pressing heavily against hers. His power and strength kept her from moving. “Thirty years ago I belonged to this town. I was even a council member.” “Why isn’t your name part of the council history journals? Everything is documented, and I don’t remember ever seeing the name Verrick Marshall.” “I figured you wouldn’t. Bad boys like me don’t get historical records of their existence, especially when you’re a murderer.” Verrick licked his lips. “What exactly did you do?” “I found a gorgeous little blonde.” His gaze drifted over her body, lingering on her breasts. His glare crawled up her throat, her lips, and settled back on her eyes. “She was a hot little thing like you, but she was married. That didn’t seem to be an issue, and convincing her to be with me was quite easy. You see, her husband was a total asshole, a cheating, incompetent, weak lycan, and alcoholic to boot. Evelyn Reed gave me the access I needed into her powerful lycan-witch family, and I soon obtained a seat on the council. I had plans for this town.” The bastard used Walker’s mother.

 

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She bit the inside of her mouth, keeping her wolf locked away, and asked, “What kind of plans?” A fire lit inside his gaze as he said, “Can’t you guess? I wanted only lycans to be among us. I wanted all the humans exterminated or forced out. This was our home and had been for generations. You of all lycans should know that. You were even named after this little town, as was your twin. Silent Falls and Shadow Meadows were the best lycan safe grounds known in Texas. Think of the power one could have governing a group of only lycans.” “So if that’s what you wanted, why didn’t it work?” “Are you really so thick?” He rolled his eyes at her and she merely ground her teeth together. His overflowing power was beginning to make her sick to her stomach. “Your parents and Dutch Reed found out before I could convince any members of the council that my plan was the best for our kind.” “So you had them killed,” she said bitterly. “No,” he said, his voice deepening. “I killed them.” A sudden wash of newly energized power warmed her skin. Silence knew her rescuer had finally arrived. “It might be a good idea for you to get off my mate, Verrick.” Her chest pounded at the sound of Walker’s voice. She was unsure if his appearance was a good thing or one that would only get them into more trouble. As it was, they were in deep shit, and it was only getting deeper. Verrick slithered off her and stood facing Walker, who was hovering in the doorway to her bedroom, blocking his exit. Immediately, she sat up and moved to the far side of the bed. “Well, well, well. Look at how you’ve grown,” Verrick teased. “From what I hear, you haven’t changed much. You’re still a cold-blooded killer with only one thing on his mind.” Walker quickly glanced over at her, and the moment his eyes locked on hers, she felt a wildfire blaze inside her. Something was different about her mate,

 

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something exhilaratingly sexy and powerful. Flicking his gaze back to Verrick, he said, “You really should find a hobby.” Walker stood to his full height. His shoulders were just as broad as Verrick’s, but there was something so powerful in his stance. “I’m going to give you a chance that you didn’t give my grandfather or Silence’s parents. I’m going to let you leave this town and never come back.” Verrick growled. The deep thunder rocked against the four walls of her room. “I don’t take to threats, boy.” “Boy?” he gasped, taking a lethal step toward Verrick. “If that were the case, then why do you smell like fear?” Verrick glared at him with a devious smile. “So, you’ve finally grown a pair, and now that you’ve been unbound and your powers have been restored, you think you can just challenge me?” He stepped closer to Walker, their massive chests nearly touching. “Do you expect me to believe that you can harness those powers enough to defeat me? You have no idea how to wield those skills.” Walker smiled, a smile she knew meant trouble. “Would you like to find out?” A surge of power slammed into her, and she clung to the bed for support. She was shocked by the strength pouring out of Walker. He was a lycan now, but there was so much more to him. He was stronger, supercharged, and more powerful. She was practically getting drunk on it, but it was overloading her senses. Groaning from the pressure building up in her head, she finally reached down and picked up her gun, one she always kept loaded with silver bullets. Checking her clip, she popped it back in and stared at the men in her room having a pissing contest. Caught in the middle, she whispered, “This seems to be the story of my life.” “Verrick, just go,” she ordered, pointing her 9mm directly at him. “I’d really hate to dirty my carpets with silver-bulleted lycan brains. I just had them cleaned.”

 

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Cocking his head in her direction, he glared menacingly at her. “This is far from over.” She nodded. “I’m sure, but for now it is.” Walker stepped to the side, giving him enough space to step clear of her room. “I’m sure you can find your way out, but I’d feel better showing you the way.” Verrick shot her one final glance before leaving the room. She hurried for the bedroom door, listening to the final exchange of words between Walker and Verrick. “Your grandmother may have given you your powers back, but it won’t stop me from using you to get what I want.” Walker grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at him as he said, “You’d have to kill me, Verrick, to have my powers, and I plan on living a very long and happy life with my mate, so go fuck yourself.” Walker gave him a giant shove and opened the door. With another encouraging push, he helped to escort Verrick from her apartment, slamming the door. Turning to face her, he looked better than she’d ever seen him. His body was swollen with muscles, and his presence so full of confidence. Sure, he had confidence before. How can he be a billionaire and not exude confidence? Even so, it was nothing compared to the way he was now. He was sexy and seductively primal in his dark and dashing cowboy way. Never without his hat, Walker popped his hands up, palms facing her. “Before you say anything, I need to say something.” She arched a brow. “Silence, as you can most likely tell, I’ve been reunited with my wolf.” He stepped closer to her, taking only a few long strides to cover the distance between them. Licking his lips, he said, “I think it’s also important that you know I’m a witch and I’ve been given those powers as well.” Silence gazed up at him. All at once, everything inside her rejoiced at his words. Finally, he had accepted who he was. Too bad it had taken thirty years for him to figure it out.

 

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She leapt up into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him, securing herself against him in a fond embrace. Kissing his cheeks repeatedly, she was deeply excited by his news. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips and said, “Walker, I already knew the Reed family was full of witches. You were the only one who didn’t.”

 

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Chapter Eleven The way Silence said she knew about his family had Walker scratching his head in wonder. How in the heck did she know he had mystical powers, and why hadn’t she ever mentioned that little supernatural fact to him? What other things did she know that she wasn’t sharing? “Wait a minute. What are you saying? You knew I was a witch all this time?” She unlocked her legs and slid down his body, every sweet inch of her caressing him as he allowed her to step back. “Well, I didn’t exactly know you were a witch, but I had my suspicions.” She sighed. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’s because I spied on your family as a child.” Her face grew flush. “I was enamored with you, Walker, even when we were kids. I always knew there was something special about you. I assumed it was because you were like me, a wolf, but when I saw your parents fighting one night, using magic, I knew better.” Narrowing his brows, he asked, “You saw my parents fighting?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Lots of people saw your parents fight. I just caught them using their powers,” she said, stalking into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator, and pulling out two beers. He followed her, and she handed him one. “Your parents did their best to pretend affection in public, but everyone knew they had issues because of your father’s drinking.” He flipped the top off the bottle and took a big gulp, frowning at the irony of chugging back a beer as they discussed his drunken and deceased father. “Yes, well, I can’t say I’m sad that he drank himself

 

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to death. I just wish you didn’t have to know that my mother cheated on him.” Silence gasped. The sound was a heavy rasp as she grabbed hold of his beer, stopping him from drinking so she could ask, “What’s that got to do with anything?” Feeling ashamed that his mother was an unfaithful woman, he couldn’t look Silence in the eyes. He didn’t want her to believe that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. “I don’t know. I guess I always looked at my mother as a saint, and I wanted everyone else to see her the same way I did.” She kept her hand wrapped securely around his and the bottle. Staring into her eyes, he felt the intensity of her words before she even spoke them. “Your mother was a saint, Walker. She put up with a man that abused her, beat her, but never once did she let your father hurt you. She found the strength to leave his ass. She always placed herself in between the two of you. You were her life, her everything. She will forever be a woman who has earned my respect.” His heart swelled in his chest after hearing Silence’s words. He hadn’t realized until now how important it was to earn her respect, and knowing that his mate was a selfless, understanding woman only made him want her more. “Thank you, Silence.” She smiled and then took her beer into the living room, where she found a spot on the sofa to sit. Gesturing with her hand, she told him, “Make yourself at home. Sorry for the mess, but the maid’s on vacation.” He grinned and chose to sit right beside her, even though the sofa they occupied had plenty of space for separation. No matter how hard he tried to seem hurt by what she did with Lance, he couldn’t. Feeling the power and demands of the wolf roaring inside him gave him a keener understanding of what the two of them had experienced. She’d been right when she told him that maybe he’d understand the powerful desire and connection if he was the wolf and not just a man. He’d been a fool not to believe her.

 

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“Silence, I want to talk with you about Lan—” She tossed him a cold glance. “Please, Walker, don’t. I really would rather we didn’t fight. I’m so thrilled that you’ve come to visit me.” “Would you stop worrying?” he said, reaching out to stroke her hand. “I’m not going anywhere, even if I don’t like what’s said. I promise you that I’m done running from the things I don’t understand. I won’t do that to you ever again.” Her eyes sprang wide, and he noticed her hands suddenly began to shake. She looked away and placed her beer bottle between her thighs. He could feel her surge of nervousness as she pressed her lips tightly together. A warm jolt of energy swelled inside him. He’d always seen her strong and in charge, but gazing upon the face of the woman with softer emotions had him momentarily speechless. She never looked more beautiful. Damn, how I want to kiss her, hold her, and make love to her for hours on end. “I think it’s important that we talk about Lance and what happened before, but I also think you should know that I’m not angry about it anymore.” With an arched blonde brow, her gaze darted to meet his. “You’re not?” He smiled. “No, I’m not, but I do think we should make sure he never comes between us again.” Her eyes immediately rounded, widening to display her surprise. He wasn’t caught off-guard by her reaction. “Do you expect that I’ll never want to be with Lance again?” “Do you want to be with him again?” She swallowed hard as she held his gaze. “I’ll never lie to you, Walker. It’s not in my nature to lie.” He sensed her anguish and tucked his arm around her. She trembled. “Silence, I told you before that I might not like what you have to say, but I’m not going anywhere,” he reassured her, pulling her a little

 

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closer to his side. The moment he held her this way, he felt as if a shield of protection surrounded them, a magical essence encasing them together. She nodded and said, “You must know now that I won’t have a choice with Lance.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she stared up at him. “If those feeling arise between us, I’ll give in no matter what my heart says. He’s claimed me, and you know what that means now.” He kissed her cheek, dragging his face over the tears that leaked from her eyes, past her ear, and through her hair. “I won’t like it,” he whispered, “but I’ll figure out a way to deal with it.” She stared up at him. Her eyes darted over his face as if looking for a clue to a puzzle that could only be found in his expression. “Are you sure you can?” With his fingers, he brushed her hair back away from her face. “Thanks to a long conversation with my grandmother,” he said with a wink. “I realize that with my powers I’m not the same man I was the last time we made love. Now, I’m well aware of the fact that I’ll be able to satisfy you in every way, and I seriously doubt you’ll need his cock after I’m done with you.” She grinned. “So sure of yourself, are you, my magical wolf boy?” Standing, he took her hand and placed it over his engorged cock, the size larger than it had been before he accepted his life as a lycan. Everything about him was larger. His frame, his muscles, and his cock had suddenly changed to accommodate the feral wolf inside him, a new characteristic he was starting to really like. After all, what man, lycan or otherwise, wouldn’t appreciate being so well endowed? His cock grew even harder as he met her gaze once more. “There’s no boy here, Silence. I’m an aggressive, hungry wolf who wants to fuck his mate so good and hard the only sounds I wish to hear are her panting and screams of pleasure.” He took the beer from her hand and placed it on the table beside her. She couldn’t seem to look away. Her eyes were locked on his.

 

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Slowly, he tugged the white T-shirt up over her head, freeing her supple breasts. He licked his lips as he stared down at her erect nipples, remembering the way they once tasted. He groaned as he knelt down between her legs, taking turns placing those delectable berries into his mouth, sucking slow, licking sensually. Removing his cowboy hat, she raked her fingers through his hair as he made sweet love to her breasts. She gripped his shirt and tore it up over his head. Good thing he decided to wear his jeans and T-shirt instead of his traditional suit and tie. She would have killed him for sure. Never had he spent so much time exploring a woman’s body. With Silence, he planned to take forever. “Oh, God, Walker,” she moaned. “That feels so nice.” Arching a brow, he said, “Nice?” He pushed back, resting his ass on the heels of his boots. “I was going for mind boggling.” “Walker, I liked what you—” He raised his hands, both index fingers pointed up. “Wait, I think I know what might be mind boggling for a woman with needs like yours.” “Needs like mine?” she repeated. Instantly his fingers were teasing around the waistband of her panties, and with a little tilt of her hips, he slowly pulled the silky, black material down her thighs, encouraging her to raise her legs so he could take them off all the way. Once she did, he tossed her panties to the floor. Caressing the lean length of her legs, he coaxed her thighs apart, pressing them wide enough so that he could see her glistening pussy. He sighed as the scent of her cunt filled his nostrils. She smelled heavenly. Heart racing, he licked his lips and couldn’t wait to feast upon her slick flesh, finally tasting her as the wolf and not just a man. He planned to savor every moment with her until they had no choice but to return to reality. In his heart, he knew their first time together should’ve been with him as a lycan. The power flowing

 

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through his body now was unlike anything he’d ever felt, and he was overwhelmed by the infectious and seductive connection. The way she writhed in his hands, he knew she felt it, too. There was no mistaking the primal urges clawing at his mind and empowering his body. Toying with her body, he stroked her clit casually with the thick pad of his finger, eyeing her as she moaned the moment he touched her. Everything about her felt supercharged. The slick wetness he found as he slid his finger inside her pussy made him shake as if suddenly shocked by an electrical pulse. “Oh, God,” she cried. “Please tell me you feel that, too.” Her hands began to caress her breasts. She pulled at her nipples. “Don’t stop, Walker. Whatever you’re doing feels so good.” She pinched and plucked at the rosy peaks of her breasts, twisting the tip between her index finger and thumb. Dear God, that’s so damn hot. Arching a brow, he didn’t know if it was the wolf or the magic he now harnessed that made the sensations flooding through him and into her more stimulating. Either way, he didn’t care. His cock was so hard it hurt, and watching her play with her breasts as he fucked her with his fingers was arousing as hell. Her panting turned into wild cries as he inserted another finger, all the while still circling her clitoris. Suddenly, he replaced his fingers with his mouth, and she practically flung herself off the sofa. Holding her down with one hand, he never stopped sucking and licking her pussy, fucking her so good with his mouth, then two and three fingers. She undulated her hips and rode his tongue as he slid it deep inside her cunt, fucking and tasting her as she grew wetter and wetter from his touch. Groaning, he reached down and unbuttoned his pants, pulling his cock free of jeans. Stroking himself for a moment, he couldn’t wait to feel her sliding up and down on his shaft. Swirling his tongue more aggressively over her clit, he felt her body begin to quiver, knowing she was getting closer and closer to

 

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orgasm. He shoved his finger deep inside her, and when he did, he felt the soft tissue inside her cunt pulse with her release. Crying out, she bucked her hips up and down, fucking his fingers as he suckled her clit, wringing out the last of her essence. He rose up and helped her to the side, lying her down on the sofa longways so he could cradle himself between her thighs. Jeans and boots still on, he’d never been so eager for sex in his life. For him, it was like the first time he’d ever had sex, and he was ready to be seated as far as he could be inside her. Pressing himself against the entrance of her pussy, he groaned as the warmth of her body washed over him. Her tight cunt enveloped his cock like a silky-smooth glove, caressing his shaft until his eyes were rolling back inside his head. A fluttering moan escaped past her lips as he sank a little deeper inside her. The head of his cock tapped gently against her cervix with slow, teasing strokes, and each time he pulled out, he groaned as he thrust back in. Her nails bit deeper into the flesh of his back. He liked the way she did that, made him crazy with need, knowing he was pleasuring his mate and driving her beyond reason, as he slid his cock into the depth of her wet pussy, gliding over the delicate spot that would have her coming and coming and coming. He used his boots for traction, holding her body firmly in place as he rocked his hips forward, drilling deep inside her. His pace quickened, lifting her legs up, spreading her wider for better access. He shook as the power inside him seemed to sizzle and spark. The connection to Silence was exhilarating, and the magic was fueling his passions, allowing him to fuck her harder and longer. He simply wasn’t tiring. She writhed underneath him, and all he could think about was the pleasure they found together and how he wanted it to last forever. “Oh, Walker!” she screamed. Her orgasm had her pussy tightening and pulsing around his cock.

 

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“Awwww, fuck,” he cried as the power of her release drew his to the surface. Damn it, I’m not ready. He felt every muscle in his body tighten as his orgasm hit him. Pumping his hips, he emptied himself inside her. Never had the sensation of making love ever felt so amazing. Breathless, he hung his head down, resting for a moment against her breasts. He could hear her heart beating, the pace as fast as his own. “Holy shit!” she murmured. “What the hell was that?” He chuckled. “I guess that might have been a little magic mixed with a whole lot of wolf.” She giggled. “You think so, huh?” Alarmingly, he wasn’t ready to end their love play. He rose to his full height and stripped his boots and jeans from his body. Extending his hand, he said, “Come with me.” She took his hand, and he quickly led her into the bedroom. “Get on your hands and knees,” he demanded, and she didn’t hesitate to listen, crawling onto the bed. He tugged her back, positioning her perky ass at the same height his cock was as he stood beside the bed. Still hard, and unable to hold back, he impaled her on his cock. Gripping her shoulders, he drove himself inside her, fucking her slowly at first then faster and harder. The primal position had his teeth and claws lengthening. His body swelled with strength as he took his mate, fucking her with everything he had. The fire that burned in his belly raged to an inferno, igniting his body completely. She cried out as his cock glided over the spot in her pussy that would have her clawing the bed as she came. “That’s it, baby. Feel me,” he whispered, pushing her forward onto the bed and sliding up behind her on his knees. He pulled her back against his chest, gripping her breasts with his clawed hands, pinching and pulling at her erect nipples. He wrapped

 

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an arm around her body, anchoring himself to her as he massaged the mound of her breast, while his other hand delved between her legs to stroke and tease her clit. She moaned, and she reached back to squeeze his ass. Wherever she touched, her nails dug into the flesh of his body. “Bite me, Walker. Mark me again,” she demanded. He growled, a thunderous roar exploding from his chest as he continued impaling her on his cock. Hips rocking so wildly, he was losing control. Primal and raw needs slammed into his skull, and instantly his teeth were sinking into the delicate flesh of her shoulder. The moment he bit her, he felt her pussy clench around his cock. She was coming, and so was he. She screamed. He growled, and then after a long wild moment, the room fell silent as both he and Silence dropped to the bed, neither speaking as they regained control over their wolves. “Wow,” she breathed, rolling to her side, facing him. He moved himself so he could rest his head on the pillow beside her. Grinning, he said, “I was just about to say the same thing.” With a smile, she told him, “I’m going to feel that in the morning.” His fingers grazed over her hip. “Hopefully, you’ll feel that again before morning,” he said, winking and licking his lips. Smiling wider, she teased, “Think you got another one like that in you?” Pulling her on top of him, he said, “I know I do.” She laid her head on his chest and, with her hand, began stroking the coarse, brown hair. Thanks to their new blossoming connection, she didn’t have to say a word to him, but he could still feel her thoughts banging around in her head. “What’s on your mind, Silence?” She lifted her head and stared at him as if surprised. “Don’t look at me like that. I can feel you thinking. Now, talk to me.”

 

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She sighed. “What did Verrick mean when he told me that as a lycan you could control your wolf even during the full moon? Why would that be a bad thing?” “When I accepted my powers, Nana told me to watch out for Verrick. She said he would never allow another lycan to be able to compete against him for the role as leader of the lycans. Seems the power I now have can be considered a threat to him.” She nibbled her bottom lip and said, “So he’s worried that his total domination plan will get kicked in the nuts because you’ll be seen as a symbol of true power among our kind.” He grinned. “Damn, you have such a sexy way of describing things.” He kissed her. “I really like that about you.” He kissed her again. “Now stop that brain of yours from working overtime and get some rest. When I wake up, I expect you ready for round two.” She smiled and closed her eyes. Before he went to sleep, he kissed her lips gently, and the powerful connection sizzled and jolted inside him. As long as Lance learned his place, things were going to be interesting between them.

 

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Chapter Twelve Naked, Silence slid from the bed as stealthily as she could, tiptoeing her way to the door, hoping she wouldn’t wake her lycan lover. Gazing back over her shoulder, she took in his serene expression as one that told her he was resting peacefully, perhaps something he hadn’t been fortunate enough to do in quite some time. Smiling, she retreated from the room in search of something cold to drink. The incredible sex she’d had with Walker had been like running a marathon at hyperspeed. The quality time she’d spent with him had her sore in all the right places. Now, more than anything, she needed something to quench her thirst, and then she wanted to sleep for at least a week. As if Walker would allow that to happen. His newly discovered abilities had been amazing. The connection of energy they shared as they made love had been like nothing she’d ever experienced. As he touched her, she couldn’t think straight. The overwhelming sensations that flooded through her kept her mind and body so distracted with pleasure there was nothing left to do but enjoy the ride, which she did immensely. She had the strangest impulse to sing, something she never did. What did that say about her current situation? The situation that had Walker lying naked in her bed, and he would at any moment awaken to make love to her again. She hoped. Stumbling into the kitchen, she kicked the shoes she’d tripped on out of her way, and reached into the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water. Unscrewing the cap, she drank the contents down fast and then reached back inside and grabbed another bottle. “Thirsty?” a familiar, deep voice asked.

 

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Startled, she turned around, clutching the cold bottle between her breasts. Breathing hard, she found Lance staring back at her. As if floating on air, he made his way into the kitchen to stand in front of her. His eyes drifted over her body in a slow, appreciative perusal. Clearly, from the growl rolling low in his throat, he liked what he saw. Heart pounding wildly, she quickly told him, “Walker’s in the bedroom.” **** Grinning, Lance said, “That’s so sweet, Silence.” He removed his shirt. “You are genuinely concerned for me.” He closed the distance between them, yanking the bottle from her hand. She immediately tried to hide her nudity, but he took her hands and wrapped them around her back, capturing her within the confines of his arms, placing his bare chest against hers. “I didn’t come here to see Walker. I came here to see you.” He looked down her body, her nipples erect and teasing him. Gazing into her soft-blue eyes, his chest ached as he told her, “My God, you are so beautiful.” Instantly, his mouth crushed down upon hers. The strength of his body had increased since he’d last been with her, and he loved the way he was able to possess her with just the touch of his lips. “You taste like heaven.” He refused to stop touching her and caressing her, and nothing would stop him from kissing her. Desire unlike any he’d ever felt consumed him, knocking away all reserve. He needed her, not just because she was his mate. There was something so incredible about the woman in his arms, and he planned to never let this precious creature go. Nibbling at her bottom lip, he coaxed her mouth open and plundered his tongue inside. In a heated instant, she was kissing him back with dueling tongues and fevered kisses. Her arms surrounded him, clawing up his body as he held her close. Caressing her smooth

 

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hip, he lifted her thigh, wrapping her leg around him. He slowly pulled her up into his arms without breaking their kiss. Her legs surrounded his waist, locking her in place. He cupped her ass in his hands. He was enthralled by this woman, and there was nothing he could do about it. She was heaven, and he never wanted to be anywhere else. The instinct to have her was always present, but now it had turned into something that almost alarmed him. Before he even had time to question what that overwhelming sensation may have been, she shook her head to keep his lips from claiming hers. “We can’t do this. I’m in love with Walker.” He gently gripped her chin, forcing her to stop shaking her head away from him. Holding her bewildered expression, he said, “I’m well aware of that, but you also have feelings for me, and if you just allow yourself to let me in—” Immediately, she said, “No, I can’t.” Why the hell not? His patience was running thin. Through clenched teeth, he told her, “It would take very little effort to have you on all fours, Silence.” He watched as her eyes rounded. “I know you want me.” Suddenly, she was shivering in his arms, but he knew it wasn’t from the cold. It was fear that had her resisting him, fighting every instinct inside her. Thankfully, he’d done a lot of thinking on his way over to her place, and as hard as it was to say, he finally asked, “Why can’t you just have both of us?” All her actions halted, and even her eyelids didn’t blink. She simply stared up at him in wonder as if to verify she’d heard him right. “Why would you be willing to do something like that?” He knew she could see the lines of tension around his eyes and mouth. He didn’t like the idea one bit, but if it meant having her in his life, then he’d deal with whatever came their way. “If it means the difference between having you and not…then yes, I’d be willing to work something out.”

 

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She shook her head. “Lance, you’re putting on a brave face for me, but I don’t believe you’d actually share me with Walker, and I don’t know how the three of us can make things work.” “Silence, I’d be a fool to think I could come between you and Walker. You have a history, and from what I’ve gathered about the two of you, you are in love with each other and have been for a very long time.” He placed his finger under her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. “I’m willing to give you and Walker space, and I’m willing to let you and Walker live a normal life, but you have to make room for me.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.” Sighing, he said, “Silence, I can’t stay in Silent Falls, not now anyway. I’ve got too much responsibility with my cattle ranch to just up and throw everything away. I’ve got people at home counting on me. I need your help to tame my beast so I can continue my life, but I also need you, Silence. You’re my mate now, and for whatever reason, you were chosen for me. I want a chance to know you. I want you to get to know me, too. Maybe in time we could even learn to love each other.” He smiled at her. “I don’t think I’m asking too much.” He was still holding her, cradled against his body as if afraid to let her down. She rested the palms of her hands on his shoulders, pressing back just enough to really look into his eyes. He wasn’t hiding anything from her and doubted he ever could. “Let me get this straight. You want to date me.” He nodded with a grin. “Yes, but without the having to wait to sleep with you part.” She smacked his shoulder playfully. “Stop teasing me, Lance. I’m trying to be serious here.” “I am, too. Surely, you must know that I’d never give you up fully. There’s no way in hell I’d just hand you over to Walker without a fight, and I’m certainly not going to just walk away from you.” He turned and placed her ass on the counter and cradled himself in

 

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between her legs. “I might’ve been raised a gentleman, but I’m also a greedy man who’s very hungry for his girl.” He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers. He was compelled to possess her, and he wasn’t going to wait another moment to have her. The primal roar that screamed for him to take his mate was clawing at his mind. The flesh of his body felt tight over his bones as he held her in his arms. Within a few short moments she was kissing him back, her body molding against his. Her hunger seemed to be matching his, and it was about damn time. Tasting her mouth was nothing compared to what he knew sampling her body would be like. His cock hardened at the image of sliding his tongue between her creamy thighs, lapping up the wetness he was sure to find when he feasted upon her pussy. He spread her legs a little wider, pressing the head of his cock against her slick cunt. He wanted to take her, here and now on the counter, and then he’d take them to the sofa, the floor, the bedroom, and wherever else he could have her. “Lance, wait,” she gasped, pulling away from his kiss. He shuddered as he cock slid over her swollen clit. Groaning, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Why do you keep doing this to me? Can’t you see I’m barely hanging on here?” She gently kissed his forehead. “I have to tell you something,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I learned the reason you were turned and who did it.” That halted his actions and sparked his curiosity. As much as he wanted to sink his cock into the depths of her hot, wet pussy, he had to hear more about what set him on this path and sent him headfirst into a world he always believed to be fictitious. “Go on.” She licked her lips. “I had a little run-in with the man, or lycan, that changed you. Verrick Marshall. He only turned you because he was after Walker. He used you to distract me. His plans were for you to keep me and Walker apart.”

 

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He arched a brow. “Well, that worked like a charm,” he said, rolling his eyes in his head. “That doesn’t explain why I wanted you so badly the moment I saw you in the clinic. I didn’t desire your sister the way I clearly wanted you. I’d never felt anything so strong in my life, and I know you felt it, too. Why else would you let me fuck you?” An exaggerated sigh drew their attention toward the bedroom door. “Because you are both naturally attracted to one another,” Walker said calmly as he strolled from the bedroom. He seemed to be unaffected by his nudity in the presence of another man. “And shit happens.” “Shit happens?” Lance repeated as a question. Silence stiffened around him, but he wouldn’t let her go, and he certainly wasn’t stepping away just because Walker suddenly appeared. He was staking his claim, marking his territory, and he wanted everyone to know that she now belonged to him, not just Walker. Lance was not intimidated in the least by his competition, and regardless of the exceedingly high level of testosterone oozing out of the six-foot-four cowboy, and that was even without his damn Stetson on, he wasn’t backing down. Sliding into the kitchen to stand beside them, Walker stared at them as if preparing to score their performance. “Yes, Lance, shit happens, and right now, watching the two of you is the biggest pile of shit I’ve yet to deal with.” “Lance, let me off the counter.” “No,” he growled. “It’s time we have this out, Silence, right here and now.” “Oh, please don’t fight. My apartment already looks like hell, and I really don’t want to have to pay the deposit on this place.” “Relax, my dear. I have no intentions of hurting your little Lancey-Poo.” Walker winked at him, and it should’ve pissed him off, but it didn’t. Instead, he just stared back, wondering what the hell Walker’s agenda really was.

 

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Lance could feel that there was something so very different about him now. There was a powerful energy surrounding him, and rather than make him nervous, it had him wanting to get closer to him. Walker had a natural pull, a likeable charm that again was really pissing Lance off. How could he be angry with his nemesis if he couldn’t even get a little annoyed by him? “What’s different about you? I sense something, but I can’t put my finger on it.” “He’s a lycan like you and me,” Silence pointed out. Lance looked at her and then stared back at Walker. Shaking his head, he said, “That’s not it. I felt his wolf the moment I arrived, but there’s something else. What is it?” “You’re imagining things,” Walker told him. “Am I?” Lance did the one thing any man with a naked woman in his arms would do, he started kissing her. He wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck, pulling her into a much deeper kiss. She moaned as he slid his tongue deep into her mouth, and her legs instantly wrapped around him. With Walker standing right there, he intended to fuck her right on the counter. Maybe he could teach the rich guy a few new tricks. “Stop doing that,” Walker warned with a growl. Leaving Silence breathless, he paused and licked the seam of her lips. Cocking his head to glance over at Walker, he said, “Then tell me what I want to know, or I’m going back to doing what I was before you rudely interrupted.” Walker’s body seemed to enlarge right before his eyes, and within a second’s notice, he was chest to chest with him, both growling, preparing to fight. Silence immediately hopped off the counter and wiggled her way in between them. Her hands pressed against their chests. The moment they were joined like that, the power that surged through him was explosive and left him breathless and shocked.

 

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“Please don’t do this,” she begged. Glancing up at Walker, her eyes watered. “You promised me. You said you could handle this.” “Wait a second.” Lance placed one of his hands over hers and held it more securely to his chest. Eyeing her, he asked, “Did you feel that?” Silence nodded. “Yes, Lance. We all felt that. It’s what happens when Walker touches me.” He stared at Walker, whose fists were still balled at his sides. “That energy came from you?” As Lance watched Walker closely, he saw the taller man’s jaw tick, the muscles shifting as if he were grinding his teeth together. His eyes suddenly darted to meet Silence’s. For a long, drawn-out moment, nothing was said between them, and then he answered him. “It would seem that I’m a little more than a lycan.” With an arched brow, Lance snickered. “No shit,” he said, still holding Silence’s hand against his chest, the addictive power still charging through him. The expression on Walker’s face couldn’t have been more serious as he said, “I’m a witch.” Both of Lance’s eyebrows sprung up in complete surprise. As if the billionaire boy toy didn’t have enough going for him, now he could add witch to his list of accomplishments. He had to admit that was not exactly the explanation he thought he was going to hear. Holy shit, Walker’s a witch and a lycan. How in the hell am I supposed to compete with that? “You’re not kidding, are you?” “No, Lance, he’s not kidding.” Lance took a step back and leaned against the far countertop. He ran his fingers through his hair, gripping hold as if trying to keep his head from exploding. His mind was a whirlwind of questions. What was he supposed to do with that bit of information? How was he supposed to digest that Walker was a witch when he was still making

 

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heads or tails of being a lycan himself? This world was flipping around faster than a bucking bronco. **** Silence stepped in front of him, taking both his hands in hers. “I know this has all been quite a shock to you, but I honestly believe everything will be okay. I’ll help you to tame your beast, and we’ll work something out between us. Walker’s powers are just another little adjustment in our lives.” “A little adjustment?” he said with a gasp. “Are you sure you even want me? It seems Mr. Perfect truly has everything going for him. He may just cast a spell on you to strip me from your thoughts.” “If I could, I would’ve already,” Walker said, folding his arms over his chest. Silence glared at him, and he put his hands up. “Sorry, sweetheart, but I’d prefer not to have to share you, but”—his gaze drifted over the two of them as they stood holding hands—“I get that you need him, too.” Lance instantly cupped her cheek. His soft-blue eyes sparkled as he looked at her. His lips curved into a wicked grin. He slyly said, “So you do need me?” She slugged him in the gut and stormed out of the kitchen, yelling, “You two are driving me insane!” They were driving her crazy, emotionally and physically. She couldn’t seem to make heads or tails out of anything. Her heart wanted one thing, and her body wanted another. Nothing seemed to be easy. What were they going to do? “Good going, jackass,” Walker said, nudging Lance’s shoulder as he trailed after her. “I’m the jackass? What the hell do you think you are?” Lance said as he, too, made his way after her.

 

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She faced them, her hands up to keep them both at arm’s length. “Gentlemen, please stop. I really don’t want to have to ask you both to leave.” “You could try,” Walker said in a powerfully deep voice, a voice so primal it made her skin prickle as if his fingers were slowly tracing over the flesh of her body. Her eyes widened. “Stop using magic on me, Walker,” she growled. “Stop making me.” She reached for the throw blanket on her sofa and attempted to wrap it around her, but before she could, the material was stripped from her hands and tossed back into the same position it had been before she tried to pick it up. Walker teased, “You don’t need to cover up that beautiful body, Silence. I like how comfortable you are standing naked in front of us.” He stepped closer to her, and she immediately felt warm all over. “What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly. “I’m going to show you that I’m all right with Lance being with you as long as I am with you, too.” She shook her head. “You can’t mean that.” “Why can’t I? I think it might be kind of fun to see how we can pleasure you together. How each of us can make you come.” Walker glanced over his shoulder to Lance, who then took a moment to remove the rest of his clothing. “I think that sounds like a great idea,” Lance said. “You can’t be serious?” “Oh, but we are,” her mates said in unison. With her eyes, she followed Lance as he circled around the back of the sofa toward her. Walker continued to close the distance between them. Her heart raced as her mates surrounded her. They took possession of her body, their hands caressing her shoulders, waist, breasts, and hips. Then Walker’s power flooded through her

 

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once more, and instantly her head fell back, finding Lance’s hard chest. Her arm cradled around his neck, holding Lance close to her as his hands did wicked things to her body. Honestly, she wasn’t sure whose hands were doing what. All she did know was that it felt mind blowing. Gasping for air, she begged, “Please tell me we’re going to be okay after this, that it won’t be weird when this is all over.” Walker cupped her face, and her eyes fluttered open, bringing her gaze to his. “First, things between us will never be over. Secondly, I promise that nothing will ever change how I feel about you. Silence, nothing could ever stop me from loving you.” “Or wanting to love you,” Lance whispered and then began kissing the lobe of her ear. With a devilish grin on his face, Walker dropped to his knees in front of her and raised her leg, draping it over his broad, powerful shoulder. Spreading the folds of her pussy with his fingers, his tongue slid over her clit again and again. She cried out as waves of pleasure rocked her almost off her feet. Lance had been there to steady her, his mouth trailing wild and sensual kisses along her neck and shoulders, while his hands cupped her breasts, playing and plucking at her nipples. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear, and her pussy clenched with heated desires. Walker’s wicked tongue danced over her throbbing clit as his finger pressed deep inside her. Moaning, she couldn’t help but grip him by his dark-brown hair to keep him close. She didn’t want him to stop his fevered pursuit of her pussy. When he inserted a second finger inside her and pumped them slowly as if fucking her with his cock, she sprung up onto her toes. “Oh, God, that feels so good,” she cried out. “Please don’t stop.” With two fingers fucking her, Walker used his free hand to spread the moist lips of her pussy so he could take her clit fully into his

 

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mouth. He sucked on the pulsing bud until stars fluttered in her vision and her body surged with wild and wicked vigor. Spasms shook her as she found her release, coming with a blinding fury. Her hips bucked forward, riding the fingers still lodged deep inside her pussy. Walker’s tongue glided sensually over her clit and deeper, replacing his fingers. Licking his lips, he rose to his full height and took her by the hand. “Come with me,” he told her, and she did, but her other hand was securely laced with Lance’s. The three of them stepped into her bedroom. Walker sat at the edge of the bed and laid back, his cock hard and ready for her. “Sit on my cock, Silence, but face Lance.” She did, spreading her legs to the outside of Walker’s. She slid down his monstrous shaft and took him as deep inside her cunt as she could. The tight feel of him had her gasping the moment they were fully joined. Walker clasped his hands on her hips, forcing her to ride him at a pace he commanded. “Now, take Lance’s cock and do with it what you will,” he said, groaning. Lance stepped close to her, his hands cradling her face. He dipped his head down to kiss her, sliding his tongue deep into her mouth. Once she had her fill of his fevered kisses, she smiled at him. Her fingers trailed down the hard ridge of muscles on his chest and stomach. Leaning forward, she traced over the sexy V curve of his hips and lower abdomen with her tongue, sliding down to lick the head of his cock. Her hands molded to his hips, nails digging into the firm globes of his ass, pulling him closer as she took his thick shaft into her mouth. Sucking him slowly, she licked the salty sweetness of his skin, loving the velvety smoothness wrapped over hard steel. Not for one moment did she ever imagine that she would find pleasure with both her mates at the same time, but here they were, together.

 

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Her body was on fire, alive with energy and passions never before discovered. She couldn’t keep her heart from racing or her skin from tingling as she felt the exhilarating connection of being joined with her mates. Walker’s hips continued to pump up and down while she sucked Lance’s cock deep into her mouth, their hands still exploring one another’s bodies. The pulsing union left her breathless and yearning for more. The intensity in which Walker fucked her increased, surging deeper and deeper inside her. Her pussy throbbed and tingled as she felt the first wave of her orgasm hit her. Pulling away from Lance, she cried out, an explosion of ecstasy flooding her body. Walker was teasing her. Not only had he made her come with wild abandon, but he’d drenched her mind and body in magical euphoria. Catching her breath, she gazed at him from over her shoulder and said, “That’s cheating.” “Not from where I’m sitting,” he said with a gleaming smile. “Now, be a good girl and get on all fours for Lance. I’m sure he’d like to have a little fun, too.” Nervous flutters whipped around in her belly, and not from nerves of fear or worry, but from complete and total sexual wantonness. She rose to her feet just as Walker scooted back, moving to his knees on the bed. She turned and placed both of her knees at the edge of the bed, her hands resting on the mattress just in front of Walker. Immediately, she felt Lance’s hands on her ass, spreading her cheeks wide. Then she felt his tongue pressing deep inside her pussy and his fingers smearing her cum all around her cunt and anus. His mouth feasted on her, licking and sucking on her clit. She closed her eyes as he teased and tormented her body, making her want to spread her legs wider so he had better access to pleasure her. Walker placed his finger under her chin, and the moment their eyes locked, she knew what he wanted. Shifting forward, he brought his erect cock to her lips. Without hesitation, she slowly took his shaft

 

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deep into her mouth. She used her hand to work the base as her mouth licked and sucked at the crown. He tasted different from Lance. His wild-spice scent filled her nostrils as she savored the alluring flavor of him. Each time she took him into her mouth, she could feel the buzzing of his magic. He seemed to have trouble keeping his power bottled up as she tormented his cock. She nibbled on the crown, and he hissed, gripping her hair in his hands. “Wicked little vixen,” he said breathlessly. “Do that again.” She did, but this time when she bit him, she sucked him to the back of her throat then released him and did it all over again, repeating this act several times until Lance’s large cock penetrated deep inside her cunt, drawing away her concentration. Seated deep inside her, she marveled at the feel of both men and how their bodies completed hers. The power of the lycan was one thing, but the power of their passions and desires for one another was something else completely. Lance moved inside her, tunneling deep, gliding sensually over the spot that was soon to have her coming in a blaze of glory. As she sucked Walker into her mouth over and over again, she bucked her hips back, showing Lance the pace that was sure to have her screaming with pleasure. She wanted it harder, needed to feel their beasts clawing to the surface in unison. “Fuck me harder, Lance. Take me like you did that night in the clinic.” A deep growl ripped from his throat as he gripped hold of her shoulders and drove himself deep inside her, slamming to the hilt over and over again. His thrusts were wild and untamed. She loved it, craved it, and needed it more than she’d ever needed anything in her life. “That’s it, baby, feels so good.” She was trembling from sensations she’d never experienced before. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop!” she cried out, bucking back to keep pace with Lance.

 

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Walker roared as she nibbled the head of his cock once more, sucking him in just as he exploded into her mouth. The wild taste of him flooded her senses and had every nerve ending in her body firing at once. The magic inside him shot out of him and into everything else in the room. “Do you have lubricant, Silence?” Lance huskily asked. Inclining her head in his direction, she told him, “Top drawer.” Lance quickly reached in and pulled out the bottle. Then before she could even catch her breath, Walker was beneath her, his hands repositioning her over top of him. He eased inside her once more, seating himself to the hilt. Lance smeared the cool lubricant between her cheeks and slowly massaged her sensitive anus. At first she was a bit hesitant, but the flood of power soaring between them had her craving everything she could from her lovers. The tight feel of his finger pressing inside her ass had her gasping for breath. The thrill and shock both had her wondering if she could do this, but when Walker caressed the side of her face and held her gaze, she knew it was exactly what she wanted and more. “Relax, Silence,” he whispered. “Lance won’t hurt you. I would never allow that. It will only feel wonderful.” He kissed her, and a flood of energy washed over her. Lance’s cock slowly slid inside her anus, and she felt herself instinctively push back against him, helping him fit inside her tight body. Their cocks filled her. Never in her life had she felt so overwhelmed by passions and lust. Together, they completed her and aroused something so raw and primal. This was what she’d always wanted and needed, her wolf lovers possessing her body together. They ruled over her, fucking her slow and easy, riding her as she rode them. Her chest was so full of emotions, while her mind was overflowing with wicked thoughts. They did this to her and she loved it.

 

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In that instant, she came hard, an earth-shattering orgasm that had all of them crying out at the top of their lungs as they reached a high never experienced before. Lance collapsed onto the bed, pulling her into his arms. Gently, he kissed her lips and rolled to his back. Walker leaned in beside her and took her hand in his. He kissed each of her fingers as if it were the most precious thing he’d ever held. “How do you feel?” Walker asked. She smiled at him, feeling boneless and satisfied, but as the sensations slowly drifted away and her breathing returned to normal, she wasn’t sure how she felt. There was still so much going on in Silent Falls that she couldn’t just brush it under the rug while she had amazing sex with her two lovers. Worst of all, they didn’t even have a clue what they were going to do about their town menace. Gazing up at Walker, she told him, “I’m worried.” “About what?” Lance asked, resting on his elbows. She nervously nibbled her bottom lip. “Verrick can read my thoughts. I don’t think I can block him, and that means he’s going to know how much you two mean to me.” She grabbed both their hands, squeezing gently. “I fear he’ll use that against us if we confront him.” Walker stroked her cheek with the backs of his knuckles. “I think Nana and I can help with that. I’m sure she knows a spell we can use, something that will give us a stronger wall to keep him out of our heads.” “You think it will work?” Lance asked. Walker’s face became expressionless as he said, “I hope so.” Walker stood, leaving her side. A cold chill replaced the spot where he had been. Scooting from the bed to follow him, she gently placed her fingers around his bicep, drawing his attention back to her. “There’s something else I need to ask you.” He looked at her curiously. “What is it?” “When Verrick was here, before you arrived, he said your father was a lycan. I thought you said he was a human witch.”

 

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Walker stared at her, his expression void of emotions. “You’re sure he said that?” Swallowing hard, she said, “Well, technically he said that your father was a total asshole, a cheating, incompetent, weak lycan, and an alcoholic.” Walker paced the floor. Pausing, he took a moment to stare out the window. Suddenly, her skin tingled and pulsed. The power moving out of him was like a blast of electricity. Gazing past him, she breathed hard and realized night was falling fast. They were running out of time. Turning, he met her gaze. “Looks like we have a few more things to discuss with Nana.”

 

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Chapter Thirteen Darkness was upon them, and Walker didn’t hesitate to enter his grandmother’s home without knocking. Now that he was a witch, he knew she was already aware that he was there to see her. “Nana, where are you? I need your help.” “Walker, it really is a blessing that you’ve embraced your gifts, but would it be too much to ask that when you visit you don’t traipse all over the carpet without wiping your feet first?” He gazed down and saw a dark smudge of dirt in each spot he’d stepped. Walker stroked his grandmother’s arm and told her, “I’ll buy you all new carpets, Nana, but right now we really need your help.” Silence and Lance moved to stand beside him. His grandmother surveyed them curiously. Narrowing her eyes, she said matter-offactly, “All three of you share the same signature energy.” Grinning, Nana leaned in toward Silence and lowered her voice. “My girl, how did you get so lucky?” “Nana!” Walker growled. “I’m sorry, my boy, but it’s obvious that she’s in love with both of you, and you are in love with her. The magic’s all right here for everyone to see.” She waved her hand over the three of them, and a soft blue and green glow followed her hand and then quickly faded. Walker locked gazes with Silence. The feelings of jealousy he had expected would arise because of Lance didn’t surface, and it left him a little curious as to why. Shaking his head, he had to stay focused. He’d find out later why he seemed willing to accept this three-way affair without any kind of reservation. He looked back at his grandmother. “Nana, we need your help.”

 

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“I know, I know. I felt it when you had your little run-in with Verrick Marshall earlier today.” “You did?” he asked. “Yes, Walker. Now that you have embraced your powers, we are linked more closely through the magical realm. Should you ever need me, all you have to do is call for me.” She turned around, walked into the living room, and sat in the soft-blue, high-back chair. “Please, everyone have a seat. We’ve got a lot to discuss.” Just as Walker was about to take the open seat next to Silence, he felt a presence he hadn’t felt in a handful of years. The rising power made his gut churn, and the hair on his body suddenly stood on end. He looked over at his grandmother, whose face was a blank slate. “Don’t be angry, Walker. Just wait and hear what he has to say.” Walker was speechless. He couldn’t believe what he was feeling, let alone that his grandmother had known about it. His chest hurt, as every emotion he’d ever had in regards to his father slammed into him with the force of a hurricane. With his salt-and-pepper hair, Decker Reed stood in the entryway to the kitchen. His shoulders were braced back, and his dark-brown eyes locked on Walker’s. “Hello, son,” he said in a voice that Walker never conceived he’d hear again, especially since he believed his father to be dead. “Mr. Reed?” Silence gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Nana moved toward Decker, but the fierce growl that rolled out of Walker halted her actions. “Don’t,” he said through clenched teeth. “Walker, please give your father a chance to explain.” “Explain what? That it was no big deal that I was forced to attend a funeral and grieve for a man, no, a monster, who wasn’t even fucking dead!” “Walker!” his grandmother shouted. Her power slammed against him, freezing his body in place.

 

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He couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. The soft-gray eyes he’d stared into during bedtime stories now looked at him with fierce blackness. Damn, she was a powerful witch. “Your father had good reason for faking his death, and you are going to listen to everything he has to say, or by all the power inside me—” “Mom,” Decker calmly called out. “Please, I don’t want things to be like this between us anymore. I messed up with him, and it’s going to take a lot more than family magic to make Walker listen me.” His grandmother’s shoulders slouched forward as if she could no longer support the weight she’d carried all her life. “I don’t want there to be hatred in our family anymore. He needs to know the truth, Decker.” “Release him, Mom, please,” her son pleaded, and it was strange to hear him talk to her in such a caring way. Walker only remembered the days when his father was yelling or too drunk to even make sense of what was coming out of his mouth. Suddenly, Walker could move again, but he held his tongue. He’d give his old man a chance to explain, and when he finished, if he didn’t like what he had to say, Walker planned to simply kick his ass. “Walker, I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t make up for everything I’ve done to you over the years. Lord knows I was a horrible father to you, but I never meant to hurt you. I was a lost soul, and it wasn’t until your mother died that I realized what a horrible mess I’d made of my life.” Silence reached up and took Walker by the hand. The connection he felt from her was exactly what he needed to keep himself grounded. Standing in the same room as the man he despised more than anything was the hardest and most challenging thing he’d ever had to do. It wasn’t fair that he couldn’t be with his mother anymore, but for whatever sick reason, he was able to talk to a man who never even held him as a child.

 

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“As you now know, you and I were born into a lycan-witch family. I struggled daily with the powers I’d received from both the wolf and witch sides of the family, but when I met your mother, I thought I could finally accept what I was.” He briefly closed his eyes. “I was wrong. During my first transition in front of Evelyn, I saw the fear in her eyes. I watched how she wanted to run away from me. The woman I had come to love thought I was a monster.” He swallowed hard. His eyes watered with unspent tears. “I couldn’t stand the rejection I felt every time I reached out to touch her and she cringed away, so we used magic to keep my wolf contained. I thought it was the only way we could be happy.” A single tear slid from his eye. “After that, we began to grow apart. I thought that she was never comfortable with who I truly was. After all, she hadn’t chosen to be with me. We didn’t fall in love and get married like most normal couples do. The coven decided we would be a good match for one another. I began drinking even before I got your mother pregnant. She felt betrayed by me, and it wasn’t until Verrick Marshall came into our lives that I realized your mother wasn’t afraid of my wolf, but more so afraid of the man I had become.” He stepped closer to Walker. “I allowed my anger over what I believed others thought of me to keep me from being the man and father I should have been, and rather than embrace those powers, I drank them into submission. While I was getting drunk on my selfpity, your mother was being seduced by an evil bastard who only took advantage of her kindness and her need to feel loved.” His bottom lip quivered as he took another step closer. “I’m ashamed that I wasn’t able to be the man your mother deserved, Walker. I wasn’t strong enough to keep my family together. I wasn’t strong enough to be a true father to you. Verrick Marshall succeeded in getting what he needed from your mother, and it nearly cost our family and Silent Falls everything. Your mother begged me to step away from you. She knew I’d always be a cancer in your life, and she also believed that as long as I lived, the threat of Verrick Marshall’s

 

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return would forever weigh heavy on this town. When your mother passed, I did as she asked. I arranged for my death and planned to disappear forever. However, Verrick Marshall decided to return the moment you did, sensing the power of a lycan witch.” Walker suddenly began to make sense of things. “Since you hid your wolf away from him, he no longer perceived you as a threat, so he used Mom to gain access into the council. He was only after power.” Decker nodded. “Yes, as you may have guessed, a lycan witch is the only being powerful enough to reign as king over the lycan population.” His father was now standing toe-to-toe with him, and for the first time he realized just how much he resembled his old man. “Understanding our powers and knowing what kind of cretin Verrick is, I couldn’t sit back and let him sink his claws into you as he had done your mother.” “Why didn’t he kill you, eliminate you as a threat?” “I was a drunk, son. A man who pisses himself is hardly worth the time, don’t you think?” “My wolf was hidden before I got here. How did he know what I was?” Nana chimed in, “Because once you master your abilities, Walker, you will be even more powerful than your father. Verrick won’t risk that you will find the magic to stop him.” Silence spoke up. “How was he stopped before? Why can’t we just do that again?” His father met Silence’s gaze. “Walker’s mother was a powerful witch, and without her”—he swallowed hard—“I’m afraid we just can’t.” Silence jumped to her feet, still clutching Walker’s hand in hers. “So now what? We just sit back and let Verrick take over this town? I don’t think that’s going to work for me.” “There’s got to be something we can do,” Lance said, rising off the sofa to stand next to his mate.

 

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“There is,” Nana said, eyeing her son. Decker looked nervous and unsure. Walker demanded, “What? If you know something, then you damn well better spill it.” Before Walker’s father could explain further, the entire house rocked and shook as if being forced right off its foundation. The surrounding windows exploded inward as rocks and other projectiles were launched into the house. Everyone took cover, scurrying to the ground to avoid being struck. Nana was the only one still standing. With her palms pressed outward, she erected a protection barrier around them. Nothing could penetrate within her shields, at least as long as she had the strength to hold it up. “Nana?” “Walker, there are several young lycans surrounding the house. Verrick is using them as a distraction. You need to take Silence and your friend outside and put an end to their violence once and for all. Leave Verrick to me and your father.” Bile rose up into his throat. He didn’t want to leave his grandmother to battle Verrick. He needed to ensure her safety. “Nana?” “Walker, I don’t have time to argue with you!” his grandmother shouted. Decker wrapped his fingers around Walker’s forearm, and the electrical connection made him speechless. His father was charged to the brim with magic, powers he was able to control. “Son, we know what we’re doing. Please, trust us.” He stared at his father. The soft amber of his eyes never looked more honest and sincere. Even though his heart was full of hate, the magical power funneling through him chipped a great deal of it away, enough to give him the courage to trust. “Don’t make me regret this.” Walker turned to Silence. “Let’s go end this chaos before they end up bringing the entire house down.”

 

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Silence and Lance both nodded, and, as if they had all been joined as one, they transformed into their beasts. Walker had never seen his mate in such a primal way, the lengthening teeth and claws, the rounding of her back, the snapping and reforming of bones. The magical essence of the lycan was nothing until the fierce howl erupted from deep inside her. Silence was a majestic white wolf, pure and sweet, while Lance’s wolf was golden brown. Walker’s wolf was massive in size and midnight black. The power of his wolf combined with the magic of the witch he was connected to left him with a feeling of complete invincibility. Charging for the nearest window, he felt both Silence and Lance on his heels, following him into battle like the close family he’d always wanted. **** A wicked, crackling laughter forced Decker to look around the room. His mother had dropped the protective shield, leaving them vulnerable to the eyes of anyone who wasn’t them. Verrick hovered in the corner of the room like a praying mantis, preparing to strike. Lurching out, Verrick charged at him in wolf form, clawing and snapping like the snarling beast he was. Decker had been ready for that even before he’d encouraged his son to leave the room. He’d sensed Verrick slither his way into the house, using the young lycans outside as a distraction. What Verrick was too arrogant to comprehend was that Decker had already seen what evil plans were in store and had taken the necessary steps to see to Verrick’s destruction once and for all. A whirlwind of powerful magic swirled around them as he and Verrick fought, ripping into one another’s flesh. His mother was concentrating on working the necessary spell, and he knew it would only be moments before everything was set in motion.

 

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A ghostly image flickered nearby, and Decker knew his mother was close to completing the spell. He flipped Verrick over, and, with razor-sharp claws, sliced through his chest, leaving his enemy howling and writhing in pain. Like a flash, Decker was back in human form and standing beside his mother, hands clasped into hers. Decker had cast a spell over Verrick, keeping him immobile. Once Decker had joined forces with his mother, their magic was unstoppable. The surge of energy created a vortex inside the house. With a few chants, Evelyn Reed stood before them. Verrick shifted back into human form, not because he wanted to, but because the Reed family magic demanded it. Now that Evelyn was present, they could destroy Verrick Marshall once and for all. **** Sweating and covered in blood, Walker burst through the front door just in time to see his mother’s ghostly apparition. He’d felt her as he fought the young lycans, and the sudden rush of power overcame him, making him alarmingly stronger than he’d ever dreamed possible. His father stood beside her as did his grandmother. Verrick Marshall lay at their feet, motionless. A silver orb rested on Verrick’s chest, flashing over and over again like the light circling around the top of a lighthouse. Wide eyed and breathless, Walker hesitantly stepped closer. “Mom?” Smiling warmly, Evelyn said, “Hello, my son. I’ve missed you so much.” A wild shudder rolled up his spine. The energy filling the room had his knees weakening. “Mom, how are you here?” Evelyn glanced from Annabel to Decker and then back to her and Walker. “You’ll soon learn that the Reed and Helmsley family are the

 

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strongest of witches and have powers that are unlike anything you could imagine. It will be important that you learn to harness your magic and only use your powers for good.” His mother whispered something into his father’s ear, and he wished he knew what she was saying. He watched as she smiled sweetly at his father, their gazes locked on one another for a long moment. There was love and sadness filling their eyes. Then she reached to touch his hand, but they were unable to truly touch, and that caring gesture broke Walker’s heart. Walker’s chest squeezed tight as he fought to breathe. His mother turned her gaze back to him as she said, “Walker, please forgive your father and allow him a second chance. He’s a changed man, and his heart is in the right place. Give him the opportunity to be there for you now. Trust me. You’re going to need him. I wish I could be with you both again.” “Mom,” he whispered. His throat tightened as he struggled to control his emotions. “I love you, Walker, and I’m so incredibly proud of you. Listen to your father and grandmother. They will teach you all about Reed and Helmsley magic. Whatever you do, make sure you take care of Silence. I always knew she was the one for you.” Her apparition began to fade. “Good-bye, my son.” Then she was gone. “Mom, wait!” he cried, dropping to his knees. Eyes full of tears, he wished more than anything he’d had more time with her. Decker knelt beside him, placing his hand on Walker’s shoulder. “Your mother always knew Verrick Marshall would return, and before she died, she created a spell that would forever end him. The spell called for you to be present, but didn’t require your assistance. With the full strength of our family, we simply had the power to take away Verrick’s life force.” Nana picked up the orb and wrapped it in a black towel. His father’s eyes warmed as he said, “Thanks to your mother, Walker, Verrick Marshall is dead. She was an incredibly wise woman

 

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who discovered a way to literally extract Verrick’s spirit and trap him inside that orb. As long as the sphere remains in our safe keeping, he will never be a threat to us again.” “What about the council?” Silence asked, stepping further into the room. “What part did they have in protecting or hiding Verrick? Will they have any part in keeping the orb safe?” “The council was nothing but a bunch of cowards,” Nana said with a snicker. “The damn fools were so scared of being overthrown they pretty much hid with their tails between their legs.” Decker added, “As far as the orb is concerned, no one but the Reed and Foster family will know of its existence, and the location will also remain within this circle.” With a stiff nod, Silence folded her arms over her chest and asked, “So the council did nothing to help you or my parents get rid of Verrick? They just let you handle everything.” Walker glanced over at his mate. “Sound familiar?” he asked with a crooked grin. They had pretty much done the same thing to her. Keeping the orb a secret from them was probably for the best. Nodding, Decker said, “Yes, that’s pretty much how it went down.” Nana had tucked the orb away for safekeeping and returned to stand beside her son. “They were afraid that your father would someday wish to take a seat on the council or maybe even run the show. Wouldn’t it be great if both father and son had that privilege,” Nana said, smiling proudly. “I bet that’s what they’re afraid of,” Silence said matter-of-factly. His father moved to stand in front of him. The signs of a hard life were etched around his eyes. Patting Walker on the shoulder once again, he said, “Maybe it’s time we had a little chat with the council.” ****

 

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Silence chewed the inside of her mouth as she watched Lance pack his new, white, fully loaded, extended-cab pickup truck, a parting gift from Walker. As she stood there, she couldn’t keep her heart from sinking to her stomach. He hadn’t even left, and she already missed him immensely. She was on the verge of tears, and that was something she never allowed to happen in public. Lance stepped close to her. “Well, it looks like I’m all set and ready to head back home. As long as I don’t get attacked by anything strange, I should make it safely before dinner.” Frowning, she glared at him. “That’s not funny.” Her jaw quivered a little as she imagined saying good-bye to the adorable cattle rancher that she’d gone and fallen in love with. When the hell that had happened, she had no idea, but she feared it might have always been so. There was something so instinctively natural about being with him, and the thought of him leaving was like a knife shredding through her heart. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Silence, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She smiled softly. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the fact that you two will always know what I’m thinking and feeling.” “Well, you can thank Walker for that one. His magic sort of creeps me out.” He made an exaggerated shiver, and this time she really did smile. “That’s my girl,” he said warmly then kissed her like it was the last time. Her arms surrounded him, pulling him as close to her as he could get. She wanted this moment to last as long as possible because she knew, once they separated, it would be the last time she saw him for a long time. Lance cupped her face in his uncompromising hands, his thumb stroking her bottom lip. “Silence, before I go, I need to tell you something.” “What?” she asked, her heart galloping so fast she thought it might erupt right out of her chest.

 

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He kissed her once more before saying, “I have every intention of making you fall head over heels, madly, and crazy in love with me.” Tears struck her eyes as her heart and soul warmed. “Lance, I don’t think there’s going to be a problem with that. I’m already falling head over heels, madly, and crazy in love with you.” Capturing his gaze with hers, she reached up to caress his cheeks, and for a long moment they just held one another. Suddenly a giant thud erupted from behind them. Walker stood hauling a giant suitcase into the back of Lance’s truck. “What are you doing?” Silence asked with her brows pinched tight at the bridge. Walker placed another suitcase into the back of the truck and said, “I just couldn’t stand to see your face hanging down to your shoes any longer. So I made arrangements with your sister and Gavin to take care of things here while we ventured off to Kerrville, Texas with Lance.” She couldn’t believe what she heard him say. “You what?” Walker held her hand. “Silence, I know how much Lance means to you, and if it makes you happy to get his ass settled, then that’s exactly what we need to do.” Her mouth hung open. “What about your business and the council?” He shrugged. “If my office needs me, I’ve got my laptop, cell phone, and a helicopter on speed dial.” He grinned. “My business affairs will be fine. Besides, I’ve got the brightest minds working for me, and I don’t imagine things will fall apart too badly while I’m away. As far as council business, my father is handling things in my absence, and it seems they’re more than eager to keep us happy.” He winked at her. “I bet they are,” she teased with a grin. “What about my job?” Walker propped himself up against the bed of the truck. Smiling wide, he said, “You’ve been given a vacation without a return date,

 

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sweetheart, and as long as you wish to stay in Kerrville, that’s where we’re staying.” Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest. She was simply overjoyed. All night she’d prayed for more time with Lance and wished more than anything that she could find a way to be with him. Parting would’ve been a slow, painful death for her, but no more. In the next second, Lance pulled her into his arms. “It looks like we’re going on a road trip, sweetheart.” His mouth crushed against hers in a powerful, possessive kiss and left her toes curling for more. Walker cleared his throat, and they both laughed. “Sorry, I just got a little excited,” Lance told him, stepping back just a little. “Well, don’t get too excited. I really don’t want to know that you’re driving around with a hard-on.” Silence couldn’t help but smile at the man who had won her heart the moment he walked back into her life. She pushed up to her tiptoes and kissed him. “Walker, thank you.” With an arched brow, he told her, “Don’t thank me yet, honey.” She narrowed her brows. “This road trip is going to take us a hell of a lot longer than anticipated.” “Why is that?” Grinning like the devil she loved, Walker said, “There’s no way I’m going to make it to Kerrville without making love to you at least a dozen times.” Lance chuckled, opening up the truck door to help her inside. “Oh, man, I do like the way you think.” Walker patted her ass as she made her way to the middle of the front seat. Gazing back at them, she told them, “You two are simply wicked, you know that?” “Yep,” they said in unison. As they drove away from Silent Falls, Silence felt an overwhelming joy ignite inside her heart. She’d found love and couldn’t believe how amazing everything about it was. She had her

 

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fierce, strong cowboy on one side and her gentle cattle rancher on the other. Nothing could ever be better than this. She was sure of it.

THE END WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MORGAN.FOX.AUTHOR

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Morgan Fox currently resides in Texas and has been writing paranormal romance for as long as she can remember. As a teenager she wrote dozens of short stories about love, loss, danger and, of course, the seductive paranormal bad boy. A graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas, she was raised in Florida but navigated to Texas as quickly as she could. Most days, you can find Morgan on her computer, diving headlong into her fierce imagination where anything can happen. When not writing, or thinking about writing, she enjoys cycling with her husband and reading all kinds of romance novels. Finding time for all things she loves can be challenging, but with a supportive husband all things are possible.

Also by Morgan Fox Ménage Amour: Moonlight Shifters 1: Seduced by the Moon Ménage Amour: Moonlight Shifters 2: Tempted by the Moon Ménage Amour: Moonlight Shifters 3: Enticed by the Moon Ménage Amour: Moonlight Shifters 4: Ravished by the Moon

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

 

 

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