Chapter 4

What was that delicious scent?

Marcus lifted his head from the beer he was nursing and looked out of the filthy windows of the hole-in-the-wall he had ended up in.

Humans milled about, as was usual for a Friday night—and even more so during a supermoon. It would be wild out there tonight. His gaze zeroed in on the people who had just passed the window, unsure exactly what he was looking for. Most of the women were dressed to go out, so one stood out. He could only see her back, but she wore a dark hooded top with black jeans and had a backpack. A thick mane of jet-black, curly hair tied back in a ponytail swayed with every step she took. It was so vibrant that anyone would be forgiven for thinking the colour had come from a bottle. But he could tell it was all natural. 

The woman had her head down and her hands in her pockets. She didn't fit in with the loud, scantily dressed women she was walking with.

He sniffed the air again—a risky move in this place. But sitting near the door, he caught each fresh gust of air as it slipped in. 

Was that scent from a human? It reminded him of freshly baked goods, something with vanilla or honey. The kind he used to enjoy before he peaked. Something sweet and warm. His stomach growled, suddenly feeling the pangs of hunger.

“Dude, are you even listening to me? You're the worst date ever.”

Rolling his eyes, he turned back to Aidan. They’d chosen that dive because the patrols were lighter there. Aidan had been dropping in on vampire territory for years. No one ever sensed him, which was odd because the shapeshifter radiated powerful energy. It would be interesting to see how he would leave, since the witches would erect wards around the city when the moon reached its highest peak tonight.

Maybe tonight was the night Aidan would get caught. And then he, the esteemed Elder’s son, would be exposed as the traitor he was for befriending a shape-shifting spy. 

But Aidan kept his mouth shut, preferring to drink and fuck humans rather than do the job he had been sent to. If Alessandro ever found out that he often acted as a shapeshifter’s wingman, that would be the end of him, no questions asked. His father would lose his shit on an astronomical level.

“I apologise. Please continue.”

“I was asking what got you so excited. There are no women here. Not that I mind your scintillating company, but why are we in this shithole?”

Sometimes he forgot that Aidan fed off emotions. That was another thing that puzzled him. He’d never encountered another shapeshifter like that—if Aidan was a shapeshifter. It should have worried him more that some unknown race had sent one of their own to spy, but it didn’t. If Aidan’s people decided to start a war one day, so be it. He would deal with it if it happened. He had enough on his plate preparing for the war that he knew was coming, and his future progeny.

“You know why.”

“They won't see me! How many times do I have to tell you? We can go to our usual spot, find a female or three and enjoy ourselves. I’m starting to stink of shit and piss just sitting in here.”

“I'll tell you when Alessandro is gone. But we’re not taking any chances until then, so this shithole it is.”

He kept vampire business close to his chest around Aidan, only sharing what was necessary. He trusted the shapeshifter with his life, but that didn't change the fact that Aidan had a job to do and probably had to give his superiors crumbs occasionally. 

“Then I guess your company will have to do,” Aidan sighed.

He ignored his friend’s dramatics.

The door opened, carrying that scent again. Fuck, it was intoxicating. His fangs throbbed, pressing against his gums, almost pushing out of his mouth. Looking outside, he watched the girl disappear into a seedy motel across the street while her companions continued up the road. Scanning the motel confirmed his suspicions. Definitely not human. 

Curiosity piqued, he pushed his chair back and stood, his beer and Aidan forgotten as he stepped outside. The scent was much stronger there. His fangs began to descend, and his heart raced. Why did she smell so good? 

A group of humans walked past him, women giggling, showing their interest. On any other night, he would have taken what they offered. But tonight, his senses zoomed in on something he wanted a lot more. A patrol car drove up the road slowly. Whoever and whatever that woman was, she would get caught. His men were the best in the world; she was lucky to have made it this far past the boundary.  

Forcing his heart to calm, he waited for the guards to approach. They nodded respectfully, but didn’t stop. Not even a glance across the street. 

Marcus frowned. Couldn't they smell that?

That incredible scent was almost overpowering, and it was proof that a different species had slipped past their patrol.

He waited until the patrol car turned before crossing the street, heading for the motel. A long, wide window framed the front of the motel office, so he stopped next to a car in the car park to avoid drawing attention. He could still only see her back as she talked to the balding man behind the desk. 

But her shoulders tensed as if she could sense his gaze. Definitely not human.

She turned back, and— 

Something knocked his breath out of his chest. 

She was stunning—the sun-kissed skin, the delicate shape of her face, the long lashes framing the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. They looked violet, and for a moment, they glowed like she could also sense him.

He looked away, pretending to look for his keys. The car beside him was a beat-up old Ford, nothing like the cars he kept parked at his apartment. The female came out of the office, and her scent hit him again. So close now, he could smell the undeniable, earthy scent of wolf beneath her mouthwatering scent. He didn't look up as she walked down the corridor to a room at the end. 

What was she doing here? And on a full moon? The wolves wouldn't have sent a lone wolf to attack the Elders; maybe she was a spy like Aidan.

Aidan!

He turned quickly only to walk right into the blond, grinning fucker.

“What the fuck?!” 

He reeled back, rattled for the first time in a long time. He hadn’t sensed Aidan behind him.

“I told you not to do that shit! Don't just pop up out of nowhere!” he growled.

“I’ve been next to you since you left the bar,” Aidan grinned.

“My guards drove past me—”

“Relax. I told you they wouldn't see me,” Aidan grinned again. “But am I glad I came out tonight? Wow! Never thought I’d see this day.”

Shit.

“What day?”

“You’re a mess right now, dude. I don’t even know if you wanna dick her or kill her. Or kill her with dick.”

“Shut up, Aidan.”

He glanced around the parking lot. No one was near, but cars rolled down the main road, and people still walked around or caught taxis to begin their night out. Anyone could see them, and a patrol was due at any minute.

“Let's get you out of here. We’re too exposed—”

Then the most exquisite sound hit his ears. A moan so throaty and raw, his balls tightened in response. 

His feet moved before he had even thought about it. 

It was his female. 

No, not his female. 

The female.

She moaned again. Something gripped him, forcing him to stop, close his eyes and savour the sound. What the fuck was happening to him? She was calling him. Her scent wrapped around him so completely he could think of nothing else. 

Taste.

He needed a taste. 

His fangs lengthened, and he groaned as his blood heated and his heart slammed against his chest. Sorcery. It had to be.

“Aidan, get me out of here!” he whispered.