CALIFF My nose was healed, but Kain went overboard with the blood on my shirt, my face, and around the wrists. It took us a while to go to his rendezvous by foot, where he parked his car. “This cuff and collar?” “I altered them. It doesn’t have silver, but once we reached his compound, I had to keep it to maintain my cover and put you in a cage. And you have to play along with our charade. Don’t ever break the character.” I snorted. “What could go wrong, right?” “Silver hurts me, too, and gold, that’s why I had to use gloves.” “And what’s with the sunglasses?” “Protection from the cameras. My eyes flare.” “Yeah, right.” I nodded even though the plan was flawed, and there was a great chance Kain would turn against us. “You have to act and make this believable.” “Don’t worry. I got it covered. I was once an undercover for months, so I know how it works.” I looked at the woods. Lyon signaled to find a good spot to scout since he was one of the best I had. The concrete wall bec

CALIFF Those motherfuckers. They made fun of me, laughing their asses off as one of the humans dumped fuel into the wood piles. The strong, pungent smell hit my nostrils, putting my wolf on edge. I could easily break the collar and chains, but not until the reinforcements arrived. I didn’t want to get shot with silver bullets or burn that would satisfy these bunch of assholes. But when I got the chance, I would be the first to rip their hearts out of their chests. “What are you looking at, dog?” The arrogant son of a bitch glared. He didn’t know what danger he was in, and they were about to get slaughtered. I didn’t realize I was glaring at him. My knuckles turned white, and my jaw locked tight until he nudged me with the muzzle of his hunting gun. “You should go home, kid.” These humans were young in their twenties. They should be working for their future, trying their luck in investments, getting laid, and enjoying parties, not hunting us with guns without thinking of getting k

CALIFF My claws retracted. I still felt the last contraction of Aciano’s heart in my grasp before I threw it out. “Get up, Waylon,” Shadow said as she helped him up. “Appreciate for holding up at the end of the bargain,” I told Kain, still in his cat form. He grumbled before he dashed outside the house. “Are you okay?” I squeezed Shadow’s shoulder. “And you, Dad?” “Yeah.” She looked at my naked body. “Sorry, my things were left where that asshole found me. Your clothes are there.” “It’s fine. I thought I almost lost you again.” I hugged her when my emotions became too much. She sighed in my arms. “I thought I was going to die.” “I’m so sorry, baby.” “Sorry for what? For keeping me in the dark about your plan.” She pulled and looked me in the eye, but I saw humor despite the fact we were still on the battleground. “Everything. Sorry for what I put you through.” She rubbed my arm, smiling sadly. “Go and check out the guys.” I went outside and saw the man who held Shadow hos

CALIFF “The boy is telling the truth.” Zack leaned against the opened window of the car. “I just dropped the medical supplies to their apartment. Two small bedrooms, not a good neighborhood.” “Is he here?” Zack tipped his head. “Yes. He’s working eight hours. Later, a dish-pig at the diner.” “Thank you.” “I’m thirsty.” Shadow had already got out of the car. “His mother was surprised, and she said thank you.” He pulled the door open for me. “She raised a good son and would do anything for his mother, even risking his life.” I got out and buttoned my suit. “What’s your plan with the boy?” He kept saying boy when August was an adult. “He’s twenty, Zack.” I entered the convenience store. “Well—” “Fill the tank, will you? And don’t worry, he’s human, and you’re a werewolf.” Zack just stared at me. I knew he had a special place in Shadow’s heart, and he might just scared of the undivided attention we were giving him. I looked around, and I didn’t find August. “He’s over there.

CALIFF “Hey. Where have you been?” I held her hand as she leaned down to kiss me. Most of our enforcers came to join me for breakfast, which was a fantastic morning. “I was with Zarah and Kain.” She took a seat to my left and rubbed Kindra’s growing baby bump. “How’re the babies?” “Healthy, and they make me eat a lot.” Kindra’s reply made me smile. “I can’t wait for this Saturday. I will help prepare the picnic.” “You don’t have to do that.” Kindra smiled shyly. “You have the whole pack you help you, Kindra, and I don’t take no for an answer.” “Thank you. And I invited Calder and Everlee.” “The more, the merrier.” Shadow squeezed her hand. “Don’t stress it out. Show us what you like, and we will make it possible.” After breakfast, Shadow went up while I checked the progress of the house. When I got back into our room, she was staring at the dirt on the sheet, which I didn’t even notice was there. “I sleepwalked, and I don’t remember how it happened.” “Are you sure?” I came