Author: J.D. Tyler

Understanding dawned. Zan’s stunned expression mirrored everyone else’s. “Oh, God.”

“Here’s what I think happened—in the hospital, Raven scented his mate. Possibly even met her. But he was bedridden, recovering from his attack. As a new shifter, he had no control over his body’s reactions. He couldn’t claim her, but for whatever reason, he didn’t die.”

“Why didn’t he?”

“I have no idea, but I’ve seen it happen sometimes.”

“And his wolf took over, went crazy,” Zan finished in a near whisper.

“Exactly. Until we locate this female, he’s going to remain in this state.” She looked at Melina. “Does he have any belongings? Clothing he wore before entering the hospital? Something that might have her scent on it?”

“Some of his stuff is still in one of the lockers in the infirmary!” Kira cried. “I’ll get the bag.” She rushed off.

Zan, Selene, Melina, and Jax stood watching Raven, who was becoming agitated again. Starting to pace, pulling on the strong chain around his neck that allowed him some movement, but kept him from reaching his visitors and ripping them apart. After a few minutes, Kira returned with a plastic bag, the type hospitals use to store a patient’s things. Moving as close to the wolf as she dared, Kira upended the bag, spilling out the contents.

Immediately, Raven pounced on the items, rooting through them with his nose. Sniffing, his body vibrating with excitement. A T-shirt, boots, camo pants, dog tags. But it was the plain hospital gown that proved to be the item he was looking for. They watched in amazement as he picked up the gown in his teeth, padded to a corner of the room, dropped the article, and then made his bed on it.

He settled with a sigh, his expression almost sad. Then he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

“Holy fucking shit,” Jax breathed. “His mate must’ve been close to him in the hospital, touched his gown. She might’ve been a doctor or nurse, or an aid worker.”

Zan’s throat threatened to close up at the pitiful sight before them. “All this time. All these years, he was going crazy for his mate. All it took was her scent to calm him down.”

“Maybe now he’ll sleep regularly,” Melina said, eyes moist. “If he stays calm, we might be able to reach him, eventually. Selene, I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

Pink colored her cheeks. “It was nothing. Like I said, I’ve seen a case like this before. I hope this one turns out to have a happier ending than that one did.”

Everyone echoed that sentiment. They slipped out into the corridor and went their separate ways. Zan took his mate’s hand as they walked.

“That was a nice piece of work. Maybe Raven will have some peace while they try to locate his mate.”

“I don’t know. It’s obvious he’s hurting inside. My wolf was very sensitive to his suffering.”

“I can’t imagine how horrible that would be, to be stuck like that. Going out of your mind, out of control, and not being able to verbalize what’s wrong.”

“It’s difficult to witness—that’s for sure.”

“What happened to that wolf you were telling us about, the one who was also stuck?”

Her voice saddened. “His mate was dead, and there was no hope for his recovery. He was euthanized by lethal injection.”

“That’s awful. Kind of makes you appreciate what you have, doesn’t it?”

She slid an arch look at him. “I suppose that was directed at me? It does put things a bit more in perspective.”

“So, in spite of how we met, you don’t regret mating with me?”

She grinned. “That remains to be seen. Don’t get cocky.”

He snorted a laugh, his spirits lifting. He led her through the rec room, ignoring Micah and Blue, who called out to him to come play air hockey.

“Idiots,” Aric snarked. “The man doesn’t want to play air hockey with you bozos when he has a new mate.”

Zan just shook his head and kept walking, the whistles and ribald remarks at his back causing him to puff up a little. He had a mate, and a beautiful one at that. Let them tease. The mated guys knew firsthand what an exciting time this was for him and his wolf, and the single ones wished they did. It was his turn.

Outside, his mate looked around. The stars were out, shining bright in the clear sky. The air was a bit crisp, making his wolf want to come out and play. Later, he told it.

“Where are we going?”

“I’ll show you.” He took her to the building that was almost finished, a short distance from the main compound. It was several floors of earth-toned brick and tall glass windows.

“Is this the new rehab center?”

“Yeah. Nice, isn’t it?”

“Very. But how does this new construction not attract attention from outsiders?”

“The whole Alpha Pack compound is cloaked with one of Kalen’s spells, for extra privacy. No human could see it even if they tried.”

“Ah, the spell. Right. That’s the reason I wasn’t able to get close to the main building when I was watching before. That was Kalen’s doing.”

He didn’t want to have another discussion about why she’d come. Instead, he gestured to the new structure. “Want to see inside?”

“I’d love to.”

Everyone had their own security code, so Zan keyed his into the pad by the main doors. They opened with an audible hum and pop, and he pulled the handle, letting them inside. Then he flipped on a light, which illuminated the grand foyer.

“Oh! This is gorgeous,” she enthused. Walking over to the reception desk, she ran her hand over the marble countertop. “This is quite a big place, bigger than I imagined. Is my father going to hire more staff to handle the load?”

“Yes, no question. There will be a receptionist or two, plus at least one more doctor, whom Mac and Melina will be in charge of hiring. Noah will get input on more nurses, and Nick and Mac will hire at least one dedicated counselor. Most of the staff will be paranormal beings.”

“How come?”

“Two reasons. One, it will make residents more comfortable to know there are functioning members of society who are paranormal, just like them. It will give them hope and set a good example. The second reason is more practical, which is we want as few humans as possible to know our world exists.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“Let me show you the rest.”

He took her through the lower floor first, showing her the various exam rooms, counseling rooms, recreation areas, kitchen, and dining room. “The residents will be able to eat here and learn social interaction before being released to society,” he explained. “They’ll get a sense of normality, and that will build self-esteem.”

“This is so impressive. What a great thing they’ll be doing here.”

“Let’s go up.” They stepped into the elevator, and he punched the button for the top floor. “See the O on the panel? That stands for Observation. The resident rooms are still under construction, but the lounge is done, and it has a fantastic view of the mountains.”

The elevator doors opened right into the lounge area. Zan flipped on a lamp on the table so the whole room wouldn’t be lit too brightly. Beside him, Selene gasped.

“Wow. This is amazing. I can just see the residents relaxing up here and enjoying this place.”

Unable to stand her closeness any longer, he pulled her in to his body, facing him. Wrapping his arms around her, he nibbled her neck and jaw. Spread his legs and cradled her there, letting her know just how much he was affected by holding her.

“Zan,” she murmured. “I want you again.”

“You drive me crazy, baby. Will you trust me?”

“I . . . yes.”

He hadn’t known her long, but he already knew that trust wasn’t something she did easily. “I’m going to make this so good for us.”

“Please, yes.”

He bent over her, nuzzled her short, silky platinum hair. Kissed the shell of her ear, nibbled. Breathed her warm scent.

He slid a hand underneath the T-shirt, splaying it across her flat belly. He loved the way she fit against his body, like she was made just for him.

His fingers traveled upward, found the taut pebbles of her nipples. He took one, rolling the peak between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned, arching her back, skin heating to his touch. More kisses at the curve of her neck and shoulder. Tasting, playing with her breasts.

“Mmm, I almost wish I were a vampire, so I could bite right here.”

“Oh, Zan.” She gazed at him. Huge blue eyes were glazed with arousal. Needing, wanting him.

“You know what I’m going to do? I’m going eat you. Then I’m going to fuck you right there against the observation window, with the curtains open.”

“Where anyone can see?” She gasped.

“Yes.” His lips turned up. “Though the window faces away from the compound, toward the mountains, so it’s unlikely we’ll be spotted.”

“But still! God, that’s so kinky.”

“The excitement in your voice tells me you love that.”

“I—yes!”

He worked her jeans and panties down her legs, tossing them to the floor. The T-shirt followed. Then he pushed her against the glass, face out to the night sky and anyone who’d care to watch him take her this way. Only watch and never touch. All his. The heated desire of just thinking of the act rocked him to his toes.

“Spread your legs.” She did, making room for him. He knelt between her thighs from behind, trailing kisses from the back of one knee to her sex. “So lovely. So pretty and pink. Already wet for me. I could come, just by looking at you.”

She whimpered, raising her hips a bit. With a low chuckle, he obliged, his fingers parting her. His tongue flicked her folds, dipped inside. He lingered, taking his time. Licking slowly, like a man enjoying ice cream.

Selene rocked back into his face, urging him. “Please!”

He fastened his mouth to her sex, suckling the sensitive bud. She came undone, bucking beneath him. Lost in decadent pleasure. The sight of her writhing nearly made him lose control.

Holding back his release shredded Zan as she found hers, wild against his mouth. Her honey bathing his tongue. Oh, God, so sweet.

When the last of her shudders stilled, he moved to her side. Bent, turned her head and kissed her lovely mouth. He loved the sight of his mate ready to give herself to him this way, pale hair an angel’s halo around her face. Knees spread, the lips of her sex pouting and slick from his attentions, ready to welcome him inside.

He ran his fingers along her slit, spreading her. Jesus, he wasn’t going to last. Grasping her lush hips, he guided the tip of his penis to her and thrust home. Buried his cock to the hilt. Her heat surrounded the throbbing length of him, squeezing, driving him mad. Not yet. Not yet . . .

“Look at you against the glass,” he rasped. “Pinned there. Beautiful. Mine.”

She began to move back and forth, stroking him. “Yes, yours. Zan, please, fuck me hard.”

“God, yes.”

He surrendered control. Gave himself over to the beast raging to do her. Hard, wild, nasty. He pounded into her with long strokes. Thrusting harder, faster. Joyous, feminine cries reached his ears, erasing any lingering doubt he might’ve had about urging her to try his kink. She trusted him completely and loved what they’d done.

Neither the man nor the wolf stood a chance against such heady stuff. With a hoarse shout, he impaled her one last time. Held her body close, buried so deep he actually felt them become one heart, one mind. His release rocked him to the core. Branded his soul as hers, for always. Her climax milked him on and on.

Covering Selene like a blanket, he remained inside her for a moment, sweating and shaking. He’d never come harder or been drained more thoroughly in his life. Had never before shared a shattering awakening, a fusing of hearts, with the only woman he’d ever desire from this day forward. He’d never known this sweet ache, ever.