All of this resonated in Amy's mind with no sign of movement from Alba. It was best that the men think she was unconscious. They dragged Amy outside. She resisted and the blow to her face was sudden and brought back memories of another struggle. It rattled her brain. She realized she needed to stay alert to try and communicate with Marcus. She stopped fighting them and allowed the men to pull her toward a large vehicle that was coming up the drive. She was airborne for a moment, traveling across the back seat and hitting her head on the opposite window. Her captor slammed the door behind him after following her in. She couldn't help reaching for the door handle closest to her but he grabbed her hands in a punishing grip and used duct tape to wrap them securely. The other man jumped in the front seat next to the driver. Amy was used to the scent of the wolves and realized these men smelled different, especially in the close confines of the car. She focused on Marcus. Her terror for hers

Ivan dropped his fork. Alba's laughter went off in Amy's head. "Now you've done it. Just be ready for the fallout.""How did that happen?" Ivan asked glaring in Amy's direction."What? You mean this." She projected her thoughts into his mind again."You shouldn't be able to do that. Does Marcus know?" Real anger was apparent in his voice.They all heard Marcus in their heads. "Yes, Marcus knows." He said to them, "And if you don't lower your voice and be polite to Amy, I'll be down to teach you some manners. I would prefer sleep though so pull in your claws. Amy, Mary means nothing to me. I'll prove it later." With that Marcus was out of their heads.Ivan looked at Amy and then at Alba. "This entire place has gone nuts."Ivan left the room as fast as he could.Alba was laughing again. "Ivan always retreats when he loses. He needs to think things through and then he'll be back. It was priceless though. He's such a control freak."Amy cleaned her plate then got up and made hers

They sat talking for hours and Amy finally asked softly, "How did your sons die?""It's a long story, but it must be started at the beginning if you are to understand. Kirill did not allow us to breed. He wanted no babies and I don't want to imagine what he might have done if one of the females had one. In the early years it's hard for a pup to control their change and for some reason Kirill hated if we were in human form. After he died, things changed and Marcus wanted us to have children. He didn't care if babies changed and he loved all the children and especially Alba's. She was his right-hand man so to speak. I would have had to fight her to the death to become Alpha. It was Marcus' idea for me to marry her. Alba kicked and screamed and felt she could beat me in a fight to the death. Marcus wouldn't allow it.""I bet that went over well with her?""It went over so well that Marcus finally had to back down and we fought. It was brutal and I wanted to win so badly, but when the t

"What would make you think that?""I have seen them change from wolves to human and then back. I know you are one too.""You know nothing about what I am. You would run if you did."Victoria walked to him, tilted her face up and met his eyes, "Show me."Marcus kissed her. He couldn't help himself. Victoria kissed him back.The kiss was wonderful, but he was hungry. He hadn't eaten in days. He could feel his teeth extending and knew he had to stop what was happening. Marcus stepped back."You do not want me," Victoria said. Again, it was a statement and not a question."That is the problem, I do want you, but you do not understand what I am, I am not one of them.""I will not run; I have been happier here these past weeks than any time I can remember in my life. I will not leave!"Marcus stepped towards her and tipped her face up to his. His teeth showed, "This is what I am.""You do not scare me," and she, kissed him, this time. Marcus kissed her back and then could not take

The following day Amy met Brian for lunch. The thing she worried most about was him noticing her four bodyguards sitting at the table beside them. After the conversation started, she then worried about one of the bodyguards taking Brian's head off. He was being his most obnoxious self. Amy was trying to figure out why they were friends, and why she loved him so much.After placing their order, he began, "Are you out of your mind? Marcus Lincoln will chew you up and spit you out. He's way out of your league and there's something fishy about him. If this is about a story, you've gone too far this time. You may find yourself with a lead anchor around your foot or buried in a cement foundation. That guy has ties with overseas' governments and possibly terrorism."Amy was becoming alarmed. The wolves were sitting next to them and heard every word. They would convey those words back to Marcus. It would be Brian with a lead anchor or worse, as an evening meal."Ah Brian, it's worse than yo