ian'

s pe

er immediately, demanding we claim what is ours. I thought I could wait

the one singing, rather than the pretty brunette on stage. That incredible, bewitchi

her. I have no interest in anyone but the trembling shifter in front of me. Half of he

her. Her head is tilted up, directly at my face, and when she turned she'd immediately bega

that adept at sensing the world ar

in her scent completely. "What are you?" I ask. It's clear she's not a wolf. A cat shifter perhaps, but there's

ching behind me. When she speaks, I'm more certain than ever that she didn't sing a si

thing alr

r with a smile. The pint-sized enigma behind me takes the opportunity to dart away, slipping thr

t he

predator? Doesn't she know how much I'm going to enjoy hunti

thought I saw a blind woman lost back here, so I came to hel

ster, she was just here to support me.

ble to conceal my pleasure. "But

is not as... established in society as my fa

I look forward to our dinner at the Pack House." It's true enough, there's no question my mate's song was the best

____

ane'

for the bathroom so I can splash cold water on my face. Bracing my hands agai

just called

never exist between a werewolf and a mermaid. Shifters can intermarry and reproduce, but th

ve had my fill of violent men. Of wolves who think they can do whatever they want

we could possibly hope to be, I'm in my senior year of high school. After I gra

Part of me wants to run, to pick up Mom and leave Asterion, Leave Nightshade territory all together. We coul

am afraid. Caspian

nt to see

____

ian'

I almost walked out. I didn't name the little cheater winner of the

wasn't fooled. She might be a strong shifter, but she is nowhere near as dominant as I

be rid of them when they finally departed, Mordred in particular. I cannot put my

ail. I was behaving entirely unlike myself. Before Friday I hated the idea of finding a mate – I've seen the

Eventually I had to call it a day, resigned to the fact that I would have to wait one more night fo

e would be right across the street at the publ

aiting out front when the wave of students poured from the building's entrance. I saw

ht I would need to call out to her, but she saw or sensed me first, coming to a screec

ng I didn't exist as she turned away down the street. I chu

, but her short legs are no match for my long

y pauses, sounding

ignore the wolf strutting happily in my chest. "Wi

ips around,

art was beating so loudly I could h

y stepsister?" Her beauti

er expression. I catch her waist when she starts to stumbl

sidewalk, turning to face me. "She was my steps

l, unable to res

ansferring her weight f

xcuse you.

n dismay, her blonde bro

to her. Her scent is so alluring I've almost forgotten wha

full lips forming a sulky pout. "Do

name, the color of her eyes, what form she takes when she shifts. I want all this, but I can't help teasi

pulling her back into place, then yanking her closer for good measure. I read the name embroidered o

has nothing to fear from me, I don't. I've always had a bad habit of

that is what she is – answers, u

h in a smug smi

fire only emerges when she is pushed off-kilter, and the moment

on, kitten." I encourage firmly, snatching an orange fr

feels safe enough to turn her back to me, I call after her, "I'll se