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  Tiffany nodded and made her way through the crowd towards the area Luka indicated.

  Michele tugged his arm.

  He glanced at her. Seeing the quizzical expression on her face, he said nothing. Facing the guards again, he took a step closer. “Where are we to go?”

  The air around them grew thicker. “Over there, towards the dais, my prince.”

  Luka nodded. Pulling Michele with him, he headed towards the large, white and grey dais sitting in the middle of the field.

  Being led out there with three guards on each side, Luka and Michele walked carefully, cautiously. There were plenty of friends here, but more enemies.

  Michele gave him a sideways glance.

  Trust me. She’ll be safer there. That’s all my immediate pack, and they’ll fight for her if something goes wrong.

  Michele nodded. She let out a breath and clutched his hand tighter. Her voice dropped from its normal tone. “You speak as though this could go wrong.”

  He nodded. “Jared is not the kindest of rulers, as you know. Lajon will be here after we’re seated to test us.”

  Michele’s grip tightened on his hand. “Test us?”

  He took his seat. Luka’s head didn’t move, but his eyes scanned the entire crowd. Wolves were on all sides of him, many of the rogues at his back, poised to jump. There was a palpable tension in the air so thick it could be cut with a knife.

  From the bullpen on his left, a crowd had gathered. Many more from the various packs had shown up to greet him and see him pass his test.

  “You didn’t mention a test, Luka.” Michele took her seat beside him.

  He twitched. “I didn’t?”

  She shook her head.

  “Shit.” He managed to keep that one word spoken in a mutter.

  Nails dug into his flesh.

  He bit back a groan. Cool it. It won’t be bad or hard. You don’t have to know pack history or shit like that.

  The pressure on his hand eased.

  It’s more performance art.

  The sound of teeth clenching made Luka turn to his lover and mate. He knew what to expect. And he knew Michele wouldn’t go for it if she had to perform anything overly sexual in public. Still, he had no idea what Lajon would ask of him, if anything. The man was unpredictable.

  The remainder of the seats filled, with Alphas down front and their packs behind them in various sections according to region.

  Luka didn’t like having the rogues behind him. He’d spotted some of the more prominent troublemakers taking seats near the dais. We’re surrounded by enemies, it seems.

  Michele nodded.

  He heard her swallow.

  He leant over and kissed her cheek.

  Can you fight?

  The feminine voice floated over his mind like sweet candy. Jerking his head towards Michele, he started to speak, but responded on the mental pathway instead. Yeah. When did you learn to speak on this channel?

  She giggled. I’ve been with you for a couple of days. I was bound to pick up a few tricks.

  His eyes narrowed on her, especially the way the dress clung to her ample breasts. Licking his lips, he kept his physical responses non-evident. I’m glad. I feel my brother’s energy.

  Michele’s breath caught in her throat.

  Did she have unresolved feelings for him?

  You know I hate him, right?

  He nodded. Glad.

  The noise in the stadium grew very loud and raucous then died quickly when the doors that led from one of the locker rooms swung open.

  A thick cloud of smoke billowed out from the entrance, and a large figure appeared, walking confidently towards the dais.

  The smoke cleared enough for human eyes to make out the figure.

  “Lajon,” Luka whispered.

  The man stood tall. His large dreads framed a face that looked rough, raw, making him seem even darker, meaner. He wore a vest and jeans with boots that stopped at his knees. Rich, dark chocolate skin was exposed, showing others his well-defined body.

  “That’s Lajon?” Michele tried to keep a whispered tone.

  Luka felt a chill race through his system, knew his mate felt it, too. Her hand was shivering in his.

  Still, he sat straight in the chair and kept his gaze locked with Lajon’s.

  Luka and Michele stood to deafening silence from the crowd. Movement behind Luka made him wary. The Rogues were planning something.

  Lajon stopped just before the steps of the dais. “I see you found a mate.”

  Luka reached into his pocket and pulled out the glowing necklace. Setting it around his neck, he nodded.

  Turning to face the crowd, Lajon spread his arms wide. His booming voice echoed in the large stadium. “My fellow wolves, our uniting leader, Luka, has found a mate. She is his true one, set from eternity to love him and help him achieve his goals of keeping balance. As it was written, we gained a leader who believed in equality amongst those who inhabit this planet. Yet he lacked balance in his personal life. Even taking a beautiful human girl for a submissive did not help fulfil the prophecy, as he only gave a part of his heart.”

  Luka swallowed hard and glanced in Tiffany’s direction.

  Her understanding gaze seemed to make it better.

  “Yet the necklace glows brightly for the woman standing beside him, does it not?”

  “How accurate is that thing? Where did the magick used to make it come from?” a lone voice called out from the centre of left field.

  Luka’s stare moved. It was a young pup. Dressed sloppily, it appeared as though the punk had no idea about protocol.

  Lajon turned towards the kid.

  The pup dropped to the ground.

  Clearing his throat, Lajon spoke with his deep voice. “Do any of you question what I have given our prince?”

  Michele gasped.

  Even Luka felt the awesome power of Lajon’s spiritual bitchslap. His skin warmed.

  Lajon turned back to the crowd. “He is not dead, just taking a much needed sleep while the adults conduct business.” He turned to glare at Luka and Michele. “As you both know, we require proof of your mating to assure us this isn’t a bullshit deal. Do you have proof?”

  Michele and Luka turned towards each other. She shrugged.

  Luka had no clue what he could show as proof. Looking deep into Michele’s eyes, he saw her sympathy, compassion and the heart of who she was, echoing loudly even in the questioning gaze she gave.

  “I could offer her my blood as proof, Elder, but that is all we have.”

  Lajon walked closer, keeping a steady eye on the two of them, his nostrils flaring. He said nothing else.

  Extending a hand, a white ball of light formed in his palm and grew in size until it was about the size of a beach ball. “You two will touch this light together. That shall be enough for me.”

  The white ball of light? This was the test for them? A smile formed at Luka’s mouth.

  He turned to face Michele. Taking her hand in his, he started towards Lajon.

  She followed, locking their fingers together.

  “This ball of light will seek out and embrace your true feelings. If you are not a mated pair, Luka will die, and control of the pack will be ceded to someone who can maintain control until we find a suitable Alpha.”

  Stiffening, Luka swallowed harder when he heard Michele whimper. He knew he loved her, knew she was his mate. But her doubts could kill him.

  She tugged his hand in hers. “We have to do this, Luka. I don’t…”

  “My blood will not be on your hands, Michele. If I die today, it’s my fault, and I’ll accept responsibility.” Facing forward, he gave her a nod of confidence. Extending a hand towards the ball, he waited for Michele to do the same.

  Letting her outstretched arm brush against his, she found their fingers and clasped them together again.

  He couldn’t read her thoughts, she had apparently picked up shielding, too. This was his life on the line, and she chose to keep her thou
ghts to herself. Fine. Besides, she was probably just as afraid as he was.

  Still, he straightened his shoulders and waited a beat. Something hissed in the air.

  Before he could react, Michele yanked back their hands and dropped to the ground.

  Lajon leapt away from the two of them.

  “What the—” Luka felt the swipe of claws over his skin before a huge, furry body flew past him and pinned another wolf to the ground.

  Jaws snapping, Michele the wolf was thrown from the creature she’d landed on top of.

  Luka didn’t like where this was going. Dropping his human form, he became a wolf instantly. Bones snapped and reformed with renewed strength while his senses heightened even more than from the power surge earlier. Snarling, Luka turned towards the other wolf.

  The glint in the attacker’s eyes spelled a murderous rage. His grey fur was matted but still held a regal appearance. Lime green eyes glowed while blood dripped from his incisors. You dare sully this moment with a common whore?

  Luka didn’t respond. His mate lay beside him, bleeding. He couldn’t spread his energy too thin by trying to heal her while fighting off Jared. They weren’t evenly matched. Luka was still the stronger wolf—but not by much.

  Keeping an eye on Jared, Luka backed up. Where had Lajon disappeared to? Why hadn’t he interfered?

  You must figure this one out. The rich voice boomed inside his head.

  Luka scoffed. I will not kill my own brother.

  Jared growled and righted himself. Pawing the ground, he charged forward, leaping into the air with jaws open.

  Dodging the attack, Luka spun around to face his opponent.

  Jared landed and growled louder.

  Some of the crowd moved to secure the area. Others moved for what Luka could only guess were nefarious reasons.

  They’re waiting for me to take you down, dear brother.

  Luka padded towards Michele. You called my mate a whore. You disrespected the elder.

  Jared snickered. And got away with both. These pathetic humans you strive to protect are so weak, they’ve made you lose your judgement on what is right and wrong. Now you die. He charged again towards Luka.

  Luka sidestepped him and kicked out at his brother with a hind foot, catching him in the flank and knocking him to the ground. Seeing his chance, Luka pounced on top of Jared.

  If wolves could sneer, that would have been the expression Jared held right then.

  Luka let the power in him build up until it was a swirling mass of blackness that was hell bent on satisfying the blood lust.

  Jared’s muzzle opened, his tongue lolling out. The human in him awoke with fear.

  The wolf panicked.

  Luka set a paw on Jared’s chest. I should kill you.

  Michele stood and made her way towards Luka and Jared. You sicken me, Jared.

  Jared lost the ability to maintain his wolf form, and a human materialised beneath Luka’s powerful paw. His expression remained the same, wide-eyed, mouth hanging open and quivering. “That power…that awesome power to kill…where did it come from?”

  A noise drew their attention away from the conflict at hand. All three of them stared at Lajon in wolf shape, in awe of the power glowing around him.

  “You two are a mated pair, I can tell. Her leaping to save your life is not something she would have done had she not been your mate.”

  Michele snorted and snuffled.

  “Jared, you are a disgrace and shall be removed from your position in the Rogues. I will find a suitable replacement.”

  Jared’s trembling didn’t stop.

  Luka knew the blood lust was riding high in his mind and in his body, but he still couldn’t kill his own brother.

  Lajon stepped closer. “Luka, do you accept her as your mate?”

  Luka nodded.

  “Kiss her.” It was a command.

  Michele and Luka returned to human form, both naked. Luka took one last glance at Jared before climbing off the other man.

  The terror never left Jared’s eyes.

  Luka walked towards Michele and gasped at the sight of blood covering her skin. He readied a hand with healing energy while still diverting a part of his attention to Jared in case his brother had one of those crazy moments where he decided to get the last word.

  It never came. What met Luka instead was the soft caress of lips, the sway of feminine hips and a pair of hands that wrapped around his neck, pulling him to her.

  He tasted her softly, letting her control the kiss. She slipped her tongue between his lips, arching her hips upwards against his. Pressing her mouth to his, she nibbled his bottom lip.

  His body moulded to hers, thighs parting so he could slide the head of his erection against her. He wanted, needed her. A hand snaked around her waist to catch the area where she’d been wounded.

  She sucked at his tongue, stroking it with her own.

  He inhaled her scent, the rose and honey coming through loud and clear along with her lupine, earthy aroma.

  After what seemed like forever, the two parted and stood, gazing into each other’s eyes.

  Luka scratched his head. “What made you jump in front of me?”

  “Silly,” she giggled. “I knew I loved you when I thought about your life ending.”

  The smile that curled his lips upward reached his heart. This was what he’d wanted all his life. The gaze in her eyes matched his perfectly. “I can’t live without you, sweet mate.”

  “Nor I, you.” She kissed him again.

  And again he fell into her spell, aware she’d bound them together with a different sort of magick.

  About the Author

  With a total of 11 novels out and more on the way, Sascha Illyvich writes paranormal erotic romances, erotica in many genres and an occasional contemporary erotic romance. In addition to writing, Sascha is a reviewer for Coffee Time Romance, radio spokesperson for the online radio station Radio Dentata and workshop host.

  Email: [email protected]

  Sascha Illyvich loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com/

  Also by Sascha Illyvich

  A Christmas Favour

  Light and Shadow

  Nectar of the Gods: Apollo’s Choice

  Caught in the Middle: Trouble for Three

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