Byron’s POVHer shocked gasp meant she’d taken me literally.We saw no-one on our way to the library, which was unusual. It was probably a sign that the Moon Goddess approved. Did this mean pups were on the horizon? I’d always told myself I wasn’t ready. With someone like her, it would be an added bonus.“That’s a relief. I thought you meant … ”Her voice tailed off.“Quite the little exhibitionist, are we?”“Hardly,” she panted, looking at me as if she wanted to eat me up.So I’d done the right thing. Gregor was a canny old wolf.‘I heard that!’‘It was meant as a compliment.’I pointed to the door. “Locked or unlocked?”She hesitated. “Unlocked.”“Closed or ajar?”“Closed.”I wasn’t going to push it. Someone could still catch us at it, though a partly open door was akin to an invitation. Many a tryst had taken place in here, with my permission. Though only I could take a woman into the playroom.Using the hidden lever, I watched the bookcase move, revealing the second door.“I take
Liz’s POV Byron asked me if I was up to going down to dinner or if I wanted to be excused. “I’m ravenous,” I told him. He smirked, as if that was something to do with him and his prowess. The truth was I’d missed too many meals recently. That could only be good for my waistline. Every woman’s bothered about that, right? “I could have something sent up.” “You said you’d see Mo down there,” I pointed out. “For you, I meant.” It was sweet of him to spare my blushes, but I had to face her sometime. Why not now? I didn’t want the anxiety of postponement. “I’m good, thanks. So long as I don’t have to kneel at your feet and get fed scraps.” “Now there’s an idea,” he said. I had given no thought to the seating arrangements, other than my humorous comment. Byron was at the head of the table and Mo was to his right with Beta Lucas on the left. The only Omegas present were serving. I found myself next to a strikingly attractive woman with blonde hair. That red lipstick was too much, tho
Liz’s POV It was quite a relief that Byron’s sister now knew the truth about us. As far as the rest of his pack was concerned my position was somewhere between that of a hostage and a mistress. There was an added complication in that those originally from Moon Tides still saw me as their acting Luna. I was continuing to advise the Alpha as to who should make the transition here or remain in my former home. When I learned he was sending Philip to oversee them for the next few months I rested a little easier in our bed. The big man was unmated as yet but the Moon Goddess can deliver a fated mate at any point in a werewolf’s life and his mom hadn’t given up hope of that for him. Hard to believe he was only twenty-nine. He’d seemed to be about forty to me. I hadn’t seen much of Gavin since that night. He was a regular patroller of the pack’s borders and it suited him, a loner who wasn’t looking for love. There are exceptions to every rule. Ned, on the other hand, I saw almost every da
Byron’s POVLiz was standing up well to my correction sessions to the point where she really was my pet. Though she mingled rarely with my pack members, I knew there was resentment building among those formerly of Moon Tides, especially since they’d been forced to leave their home.Vanessa was different. She’d left us for them and come full circle. I decided to enlist her help.“Swear them to secrecy,” I said. “Lizzy is playing an important role for me as part of an ongoing investigation. Anything you see or hear which seems derogatory is not what it seems.”She eyed me doubtfully.“It might be better coming from her own lips. And it’s Liz, Alpha. With respect.”The Omega nursemaid bobbed her head. She had a point.“You hold her in high esteem, don’t you?”“We all do, Alpha Byron. Even Alpha Richard relies – relied – on her so much.”“I’ll let you into a little secret. Me too,” I told her.“Is she your mate?” The question floored me. How should I answer? Vanessa smiled. “I thought so.
Byron’s POVAlpha Joe cleared his throat. “Let’s cut to the chase, Bryon.”“Byron,” I corrected, pleasantly, raising my glass.“Alpha, you have some prime grazing land, and we will pay top dollar to use it.”“Go on,” I said, taking a sip of pinot gris.“Do you have the infrastructure to accommodate us?” the billionaire asked.“It can be arranged. I take it you’re partners in this?”Beneath the table, Liz tugged at my pants. She was shaking her head. What didn’t I know?“Not exactly. I have a different, more universal request,” Max announced.“Yes, well, we’ll come to that, Maxie.”“Now, Joe!”They didn’t hit it off. Divide and conquer. I wished I’d done my research but, as ever, so much was happening to distract me.This was going to be a minefield if I wasn’t careful. I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of either of them.The beef arrived then. Probably a bad choice since they were bound to make a comparison with their own prime stock. Except that was Joe’s baby.“Let me get this
Byron’s POVThe ballet dancer wasn’t what I’d anticipated seeing when I re-joined the others. She was accomplished as well as entertaining and I had to pinch myself. Was this really Liz? I reckoned she was making a point.Was that for my benefit?I had already clocked what the escorts were wearing and decided the enterprise would be decidedly sleazy. Did I want to be associated with such a company? Not in the least, though I could play along.While Mo and I chatted with the males and females, my slave was back where she belonged for the evening: at my feet.“By the way, we’re throwing a party tomorrow in your honour,” I told our guests. It will be an Asian-themed night, though dressing up is optional.”“I’d like to see Miss Bell in a sarong and nothing else,” Joe said, snickering.The Lycan glared at him, saving me the bother.“You’ll have to wait and see. Isn’t that right, Mo?”“What? Oh, yes. We’re serving fusion food, not just sushi.”“Will there be a tea ceremony?” Max asked. “If
Byron’s POVCounselling caution, I ran through the steps of what was essentially a need-to-know operation. Goddess knew what the pack members must think. Security had been informed to heighten their awareness. They must assume it was about the VIPs we were hosting.In a way, it was.They were leaving in the afternoon as something had come up. I arranged the pet demo around brunchtime in one of our larger meeting rooms. Liz played her role magnificently, while Mo spiked the drinks she handed out.It takes a lot to knock out a werewolf but a Lycan, no chance. I wasn’t aiming for that, just to disorientate them a little.Then we held the auction-cum-raffle and I won. Though I wanted to titillate them further and asked her to change into her final costume with only my broad back as a shield in lieu of a screen.How fitting she had chosen to look like a warrior woman.The trap I’d set was about to be sprung. Only one more thing would make it complete.We never reached the dungeon proper. B
Liz’s POVI didn’t get much sleep that night, following the pattern of recent weeks. Yet I felt safe here at Wild Horses, except that a vital key to my future happiness was missing.This time last year I hadn’t even known he existed, despite being our near neighbour. He’d shot to fame on the TV when one of his hotels was endorsed by several celebrities. Humans set store by such things; we tend to be more practical.Running the merged packs helped to stop me fearing the worst.Michael had said he would look into what had happened with Beta Ian and I was all set to recompense his widow when she took her own life. I thought that was strange, too, because they hadn’t been getting on.Maybe his sudden demise was nothing to do with the missing Alphas, all of whom were male as far as we knew.Why hadn’t Maggie gone to Alaska with her husband? Had they had yet another quarrel?I’d been too absorbed with keeping Ricky on the straight and narrow to really notice her distress. Though he’d seemed