Kincaid Pack Series
A New Pack for New Year
Injured and terrified, Victor runs for his life and right into the arms of the last person he expected to find: his true mate.
Living in a pack who viewed imperfections as weaknesses that needed to be eliminated, Victor is lucky to escape alive. He’s heard of the Kincaid Pack’s strong but fair alpha, but he has trouble truly believing he won’t be targeted once more if his shameful secret is discovered.
When Cole meets a young man with fear in his eyes and pain in his scent, he recognizes him as his mate on sight. His excitement is short-lived, however, when they find out Victor’s life is still in danger from what his old pack did to him.
After a lifetime of being abandoned by others, Victor has an important decision to make: Will he choose to trust the mate fate gave him?
Or will he run again?
A New Pack for New Year is a prequel to the best-selling Kincaid Pack series and features an eighteen-year-old wolf in need of some TLC, a thirty-something lion dying to give it to him, sexy times in an inappropriate place, found family feels, and hurt/comfort that will warm all the corners of your heart.
Read an excerpt:
Cole was… overwhelming. It was hard to tell from where Victor sat, but he would guess the man was over six feet tall and his shoulders were nearly as wide as Alpha Kincaid's had been. But where the alpha's stern mouth and fierce eyes had been intimidating, Cole's wrinkled dress shirt and stubbled jaw made Victor want to cuddle up next to him. Though his buzzcut and the sharp angle of his jaw gave him a tough appearance that probably should have made Victor nervous. Nervous was the last thing he felt as the scent of… Goddess, it was almost like the man smelled like the gardenias in his mom's garden. Suddenly, Cole cleared his throat and looked away, his big chest heaving as he took a deep breath. "Victor, I presume?" Even the man's voice was sexy, gravelly and deep and like a caress down Victor's spine. "Victor?" "Hmm?" Oh shit, the man had asked him a question, hadn't he? "Oh, um, I mean, yes. I'm Victor." He pushed to his feet quickly and thrust out his hand. "Thank you for meeting with me." Cole eyed his hand for a moment, then leaned around him to set his mug of coffee on the desk. Straightening, he met Victor's gaze again as his big hand engulfed Victor's smaller one. "My pleasure," Cole murmured, not so much shaking Victor's hand as just holding it and running his thumb over the backside in a calming manner. Slowly, Cole drew his arm back but didn't release Victor, so he was towed in closer, until they were only a few inches apart. He had to part his lips to try and get more air into his lungs, and Cole's dark blue eyes dropped down to his mouth and flashed yellow again. This close, Victor could get more notes of the man's scent—something spicy was underneath the light floral scent he'd first noticed, and it was making his body come alive. Licking his bottom lip, Victor tried to catch a little of Cole's scent on his tongue, hoping to taste the enticing man. With a rough groan, Cole started to lean down, eyes still on Victor's mouth. Excitement shot through him, but also a thread of apprehension. What was happening? "Is this part of the interview?" he whispered before Cole's mouth touched his own. They were so close he could feel Cole's warm breath against his face. He tipped his head back automatically, offering himself to this man without thought. Their lips nearly touched, the heat of Cole's skin lighting off sparks of need. "Funny," Cole murmured. Before he could ask why that was funny, Cole closed the distance between their mouths, brushing his lips against Victor's so softly it drew a whimper from deep inside Victor's chest. Cole growled in response, his free hand coming up to cup Victor's jaw. He carefully angled Victor a little to the side so their mouths fit together even better, more fully. As his eyes fluttered shut, Victor tentatively brought his unclaimed hand up to rest on Cole's waist. As soon as the contact was made though, Cole released a sort of broken noise, almost like he was in pain, and his palm slid to the back of Victor's head to hold him more firmly. And then Cole took possession of Victor's mouth as easily as he held him in place. Victor had never felt anything so amazing in his entire life.
The Alpha and His King
When Kai flies out of a shed, swinging a rake, Rick’s life flips upside down.
As alpha, Rick’s dedication to his pack has never wavered—until Kai. The pull he feels toward the younger man is more than a simple distraction, but Rick won’t let himself lose focus. Not while a hidden enemy is drawing near.
Moving in with the grumpy alpha who saved him is a big change for Kai, and it isn’t long before he begins to ache for something he can’t have. As a half-human shifter responsible for his three younger siblings, he knows he can never be Rick’s mate.
Pushing aside their doubts and insecurities, they grow closer. But when the pack’s enemies strike, bringing their fears to fruition, Rick and Kai have to decide if they’re willing to risk it all to be together.
The Alpha and His King is the first book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a quick-tempered and possessive alpha; a sweet and feisty alpha-mate; shifters, seers, and witches galore; massive amounts of hurt/comfort; and a happily ever after.
Read an excerpt:
Rick moseyed over to the fridge and jiggled Callie, who wrapped her legs around his torso and laughed again. “Did you save me any more of those sandwiches? I could use a few more.” He found a tray in the fridge still half-full and pulled it out, setting it on the island. He set Callie next to it and uncovered the food. Picking up a tiny sandwich, he held it out to her. Just as she was reaching for it, Beth noticed what he was doing and Kai walked into the room. “Alpha! She’s already eaten her weight in sandwiches,” Beth said, shaking a finger at him. At the same time, Kai said, “Callie, you can’t possibly still be hungry!” Rick and Callie looked at each other, Callie’s big green eyes even larger than normal, then she snatched the sandwich out of his hand and shoved it in her mouth. “I can’t believe you just did that,” Kai scolded, but the sides of his mouth were twitching as he approached and sidled up next to Rick. Callie chomped away, grinning and swinging her feet, and Kai grabbed one of her ankles. “You’re going to make yourself sick now if you go play.” “Wha?” Most of the sandwich seemed to still be in Callie’s mouth, muffling her words. “I ‘na shwing.” “I know you want to swing, but your tummy was already full. Now you need to let it rest before you run around outside.” Kai seemed to be trying to speak soothingly to his sister, his hand gently rubbing her leg. It apparently wasn’t enough. Callie leaned over and spit the mostly chewed food onto the floor and then let out an unholy shriek. Rick stood frozen for a moment as Kai shushed her and tried to get her to calm down. “ALPHA SAID I COULD SWING!” Callie roared, her tiny body producing a sound too large for her body. “ALPHA SAID—” “Enough.” Rick gently moved Kai out of the way with one hand to the shoulder closest to Rick and stepped in close to Callie. Tears streamed down her red face, and her body jerked as she hiccupped. “But you said—” she tried to say, but he shook his head, and she immediately stopped, her chin dropping to her chest. He ignored Samantha wringing her hands on the other side of the island and reached out to tip Callie’s tiny chin up so they were eye to eye. “Eyes on me, pup.” He was talking to Callie, but he felt Kai’s gaze like a caress and heard him gasp at Rick’s words. He waited until damp eyelashes rose, and Callie stared at him defiantly. Though he wanted to smile at her gumption, he knew that wouldn’t send the best message for her behavior. “I want you to take some deep breaths with me, Callie.” He took deep, exaggerated breaths until she was doing the same. After a few moments, he could see her little shoulders relaxing. “Good girl. Now, tell me why you got so upset.” Sniffling, Callie wiped at her wet face but didn’t break eye contact with him. “I wanted to swing.” “I know, sweets.” Rick tucked some of her unruly hair behind one of her ears and tapped her on the nose. “Kai didn’t say you couldn’t ever swing. He said you’d have to wait since you’d eaten more food. What part of that upset you so much?” He had two theories but wasn’t sure which had caused the outburst. He hoped she’d be able to identify her feelings. “I thought… I didn’t wanna miss out,” she murmured. Rick nodded and tugged on a strand of her hair. “Okay, pup, I understand. Sometimes when we aren’t used to having certain things, we worry they’ll go away, right?” He nodded at the tray sitting next to her. “Things like fun toys and yummy food?” Whimpering, Callie suddenly threw herself into his arms. He easily caught her and supported her slight weight as she cried on his shoulder. When the tears didn’t slow after a moment, he turned to Kai. “Follow me,” he said, waiting for Kai’s nod before carrying her out of the kitchen. He almost went back to the blue room but decided at the last minute she would feel most comforted from his scent. Taking the stairs two at a time, he rubbed her shuddering back to try and calm her. When he reached his bedroom door, he paused and nodded at it, his eyes on Kai. Kai stared at him for a long moment. The air felt heavy with all the shit they still needed to say to each other, but a particularly heart-wrenching sob jolted Kai into action, and he opened the door. Rick beelined for his bed, sat on the side, and then swung his legs up so he could lie flat with Callie cradled on his chest. He thought he’d have to coax Kai to lie on the other side, but he understood right away and clambered onto the bed, lying on his side half a foot away from Rick. Rick carefully turned so Callie was sandwiched between them. At the movement, she clutched at him harder, her face pressed into his neck. “Shh, little pup. You’re safe. I promise.” Kai’s wide fearful eyes met his over Callie’s head. “You’re safe,” he repeated to him. “I’ll keep you safe. I swear it.” Kai’s breath caught in his throat, and his eyes looked damp. He scooted closer, pressing against Callie’s heaving back. With his eyes locked with Rick’s, Kai whispered, “I know, Rick.”
The Second and his Bonded
As the son of an enemy, Kieran never expected to find a family with the Kincaid Pack... or a true mate’s bond.
After barely escaping his abusive family, wolf shifter Kieran McAllister struggles to find his place in the Kincaid Pack.
Especially with the pushy but gorgeous second-in-command showing up every time Kieran turns around… and making him want things he shouldn’t.
The traumatized wolf who continuously refuses Bennett Young’s help has begun to haunt his dreams. But if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that tiger shifters don’t have mates. So why can’t Bennett get Kieran’s sad eyes out of his head?
Despite their differences, Kieran and Bennet find something they never expected in each other. Just as their bond begins to grow though, Kieran's past threatens to destroy the very pack they both have been fighting to protect.
The Second and His Bonded is the second book in the Kincaid Pack series and features an overprotective tiger, a touch-starved wolf, lots of purring, an excessive amount of sunbathing, and a happily ever after.
Read an excerpt:
“Could you tell me… Does the Council have the authority to force me to return to my father’s pack?” Jamie’s eyes widened. “Is that something you’re worried about?” Kieran shrugged and glanced away from his sympathetic eyes. “Based on a voicemail I received and the vision Jessica had of me… I’d like to be sure before I comply with the summons.” Jamie frowned and rubbed at his forehead. “I can tell you that according to Kincaid Pack law, once the alpha has formally accepted a member into the pack, another pack cannot lay claim to the member—be they shifter, seer, witch, or human.” A tightness in his stomach he hadn’t even noticed unclenched at those words. “That’s… Thank you. That’s good to hear.” Jamie grimaced. “Unfortunately, that’s only our pack’s law.” A vice began to constrict his lungs. “What does that mean?” Jamie reached over and grabbed one of his hands. “Hey, take some deep breaths. It’s going to be okay.” He tried, he really did, but he couldn’t seem to get any oxygen into his lungs. As panic descended, he tried to jerk away, to stand and run and hide. He couldn’t let anyone see him this way. His heart was thundering in his ears— Wait. No. Strong hands and a calming scent enveloped him, voices rising and falling around him, questions flying around the small room. He buried his face into the warm hollow at the base of a vibrating throat, sucking the delicious scent deep into his chest, using it to calm his racing heart. Vibrating? He tried to move when he realized he was nuzzling Bennett and he was… purring? “You’re alright, sweetheart. Just concentrate on breathing for a few more minutes,” Bennett said, his voice rumbling right into Kieran’s ear. “You keep doing this,” he whispered, gripping the soft cotton T-shirt Bennett wore. “What?” “Taking care of me…” The muscles in Bennett’s back went rigid for a moment, and he tried to step back. Kieran wasn’t proud of the sound he made, but it stopped Bennett’s retreat. One large hand slowly went up Kieran’s back until it was cupping his neck. “I thought you didn’t want that? Yelled at me on more than one occasion about it in fact.” Bennett’s voice sounded level, but his scent had soured just a little, letting Kieran know how unhappy he was about it. He gave a wet laugh and rubbed his lips ever so lightly back and forth on Bennett’s throat, failing to suppress a groan when Bennett’s grip on his neck tightened. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I don’t know what I want.”
The Deputy and his Enforcer
A deputy bent on finding the truth and the Enforcer whose job it is to stop him...
Nothing is more important to Marcus Rivera than protecting his pack, so he doesn’t understand why he has the sudden urge to tell a nosy human deputy things he shouldn’t. Marcus follows the rules. Always. But something about Robson’s scent has him tempted to break them.
The gorgeous red-head Deputy Robson Medina has been following has a secret. He just knows it, and he won’t stop looking until he finds out everything he can about the alluring man. Even if the idea of Marcus being a criminal seems less and less likely the more Robson learns.
As the tension between them continues to grow, it stokes a fire inside Marcus he’s never felt before. One that’s driving him to trust his wolf’s instincts and release the stranglehold Marcus has always had on his control. But when Robson gets a painful glimpse of the magical world Marcus lives in, they have to decide how much they’re willing to risk to have it all.
The Deputy and His Enforcer is the third book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a wolf shifter in need of a family, a Puerto Rican human with more than his fair share, furry cuddles, creative mating practices, and a happily ever after.
Read an excerpt:
Robson might have made a mistake. He’d thought the shadowed animal hiding between the cars had been a large dog, but when it rose and turned, he stumbled back at the sight of the enormous dark brown wolf. “Fuck! Uh, good wolfy.” The beast took a step toward him, and Robson’s lizard brain told him to stop moving; he’d never be able to outrun this large creature, so he needed to convince it he wasn’t a threat. Holding his breath, he slowly lowered himself to the dirt and stones of his parents’ driveway. He didn’t want to take his eyes off the wolf, but he could remember hearing somewhere that predators took eye contact as a sign of aggression and might attack to establish their dominance. On one knee and face tilted toward the ground, he shakily raised an arm toward the unmoving animal. “Easy, boy. I won’t hurt you, okay?” He started to get dizzy and realized he’d stopped breathing as he waited to see what the wolf would do. Sucking in a breath, he tried to see out of the corner of his eyes, but the deepening shadows hid the dark fur of the animal too well. His ears were ringing they were straining so hard to hear the slightest movement or growl. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, he heard a sort of… huffing sound. Then he felt a wet nose on his fingers, and he flinched so hard he fell on his ass. “Ouch. Well, that was graceful,” he muttered, peering up and smiling at the wolf’s cocked head. “Don’t tell anyone the big bad infantryman just fell on his ass, okay?” Tail wagging a little, the wolf crept closer, nose audibly sniffing. Robson held still, the fear from before slowly draining away as the wolf simply smelled him for a few moments, then sat on the gravel waiting for something. “Um… Are you someone’s pet? Jesus, why am I talking to you like you’ll answer?” He scrubbed at his face and sighed, suddenly feeling drained. “What a weird fucking day.” After what had happened at the witchy shop in town, Robson had driven around for hours, trying to figure out what he should do. It wasn’t like he could go to the sheriff and tell him what had happened, using it as evidence to open a real investigation. There was no way he’d know how to explain the sensation he’d felt walking into the shop, and he knew he’d sound… crazy. Flopping backward, his upper half at least landed on grass. “Maybe I am crazy.” He heard a huff from the wolf, but he ignored him. If he got mauled for ignoring the thing, it’d still be the second weirdest thing to happen to him that day, and he was suddenly just done.
The Hunter and his Mates
As personal assistant to a powerful alpha of a large pack, there are certain rules Jamie has for himself to make sure he’s successful at his job.
First, nothing and no one gets to the alpha without his say so.
Second, schedules will be enforced for everyone. At all costs.
Third, a certain Enforcer with an enticing scent and scarred face is not to be stared at, drooled over, and/or daydreamed about.
And fourth, human hunters are never, ever mate material—no matter what their smiles or Southern drawls do to him.
But what if his own rules are preventing Jamie from finding something unique and magical and hotter than he could ever imagine? Because being caught between a grumpy cougar and a dangerous hunter was the last place Jamie thought he should be… but it might just be exactly where he needs to be to find both of his fated mates.
The Hunter and His Mates is the fourth book in the bestselling Kincaid Pack series, which is most enjoyable when read in order. This installment is an MMM romance featuring a scentless human trying to make a home in a pack of shifters, an Enforcer with mild PTSD and a possessive streak a mile wide, and the sweet little hawk who adores them both.
Read an excerpt:
Gabriel had to be out of his mind, pursuing Alpha Kincaid’s pretty little assistant. As Jamie scurried away with flushed cheeks and disheveled hair, Gabriel couldn’t help but check out his ass in his adorable khakis. If it was just physical attraction, Gabriel would have let it go, especially after Jamie ignored the note he’d left on his door a week ago. But even as he’d been spending whole days doing backbreaking work on the house he was renovating, he hadn’t been able to forget the way Jamie had stared at him in the woods in New Mexico. Jamie had just watched him drop that waste-of-space McAllister Enforcer with an arrow through the throat, but instead of being horrified, his little bird looked at him with awe. The entire trip back, he’d felt those worshipful eyes on him, distracting him when he needed to be focused. As soon as things had settled down, he’d tried to make his move, only to be stymied again and again by the fact that Jamie was rarely at home. His little bird worked way too much. Tracking him down at the manor had been a risk, but one he hoped would pan out in securing him a date with the gorgeous creature who haunted his days and nights. The way Jamie had called him out on his silly pickup line had made his fucking dick hard. As sweet and innocent as he came off, there was some real spunk hiding under the surface, and Gabriel couldn’t wait to find out what else Jamie was keeping tucked out of sight. When he heard the front door close, he turned and faced the opposite direction, leaning his shoulders against the wall and crossing his arms. “It’s rude to eavesdrop, cat.” The back of his neck had started tingling as soon as he’d stepped out of the room decorated in varying shades of blue, an indication that he was being watched by a predator. After living all of his three and a half decades as a human among shifters, he’d developed the sixth sense out of survival. Though he was only guessing at who it was spying on him and Jamie from a darkened doorway. Sure enough, the grumpy cougar stepped from out of the shadows, his fist clenched in clear annoyance. Gabriel’s blood heated at the sight of his other obsession since New Mexico: Drake Hayes. Pack Enforcer, former emissary, and one ornery SOB. He was also disturbingly sexy with his stubbled cheeks, intense eyes, and well-muscled body. Scars or not, Gabriel was always grateful for the spell that concealed his scent when the cougar was nearby, knowing he’d lose a testicle if the man ever found out. The empty sleeve on the left side of Drake’s body was a clear indication of how strong the cat was—not only had he survived such a horrific injury, he’d refused to let it slow him down. Gabriel had spent weeks watching the manor, and the shifters who came and went, before he’d revealed himself after following Drake, Jamie, Kieran, and Fiona to New Mexico. He’d seen the progress Drake had made in varying aspects of his life firsthand—most recently in how fast and nimble he’d become once more in his shifted form. “What are you doing here, hunter?” Drake asked, a low growl clear in his voice. “What you’re too chickenshit to do,” Gabriel said with a smug smile, pushing off the wall but not invading the other man’s space. He wasn’t completely insane. Drake hissed at him. “Watch yourself. You may have proven useful to the pack in the past, but one wrong move and I’ll personally see to your banishment.” While he didn’t doubt Drake would do his damnedest to make sure that happened whether Gabriel stepped out of line or not, he and Rick Kincaid had an understanding. It would take a lot for Rick to go back on his word, Gabriel was sure of that, and he was also sure he wouldn’t ever come anywhere near breaking his end of the bargain. Smiling widely just to annoy Drake further, he took one more step forward. “Is that what you’re doing out in the woods behind my house every morning? Waiting for me to… make a move?” Drake reared back at the suggestive tone, his brows furrowing in confusion. Shaking it off, he snarled, “Someone needs to keep an eye on you.” Biting his lip, he whispered loudly, “Oh, kitty cat, you can keep two on me.”
The Enforcer and his Heart
With Keegan's safety on the line, there is nothing Nico won't do to protect him.
The mysterious Keegan has been haunting Nico's dreams.
Ever since the night he stormed through the pack's protections like they were nothing, Nico hasn't been able to forget the powerful young witch. Not his scarred face, his loyalty, or his fierce but sad eyes.
Nico just wished he'd caught Keegan's scent. He ached to know if his fated mate is a witch stuck on the other side of the country.
No one will stop him from finding out.
The Kincaid Pack is trouble.
Everyone knew that, and Keegan's coven forbid contact with them.
But Keegan broke the rules, and now he can't stop dreaming about a shifter he barely caught a glimpse of the night he'd helped the pack. The teasing smile he sees every time he shuts his eyes is becoming a near obsession.
One he isn't sure he wants to stop.
The Enforcer and His Heart is the fifth book in the bestselling Kincaid Pack series, best read in order. This installment features a pack Enforcer who's the epitome of sunshine, a grumpy witch who never planned on being a single parent but would do anything for his child, a three-year-old who thinks wolf snuggles are the best thing ever, inept and allergy-inducing wooing, and a dangerous cross-country trip guaranteed to end in a happily ever after.
Read an excerpt:
“Are you okay?” The deep voice was hushed but still so familiar it brought tears to his eyes. He blinked them away, chalking it up to being so tired still, and turned his head, needing to see him more than anything else in that moment. Sitting in what looked like the most uncomfortable, spindly chair in the world was the giant Kincaid Pack Enforcer who’d been haunting his every thought. Nico. He ran his gaze over him greedily, trying to take in every single detail. He didn’t know what had happened in New Orleans, if he was truly free of his mother and coven for good, but for that single moment, it didn’t matter. They were finally together, in the same place, and he felt like he could breathe for the first time in years. The longer he looked at Nico, the more he realized something was off. There was no sign of his easy smile, and dark circles were under his beautiful blue eyes as he watched Keegan with something that looked like apprehension. His dark hair was longer than the last time Keegan had seen him, the strands on the top falling over his forehead when he tipped his chin down and stared at his hands where they were fisted in his lap. His usual clean-shaven jaw had a bit of stubble, and his cheekbones seemed more pronounced. But he was still the most handsome man Keegan had ever seen. “You are here,” he said, keeping his voice low too. It felt late, and he wasn’t sure how many people were around the house trying to sleep. Nico swallowed, keeping his eyes downcast. “I’m here. Jocelyn is with… Rosie.” He paused, then cleared his throat and said, “She asked me to sit with you. How are you feeling?” It’d be just like his sister to play matchmaker. The last time he’d woken up, he’d actually been able to stay awake more than five minutes and gotten to see Rosie and give her the longest hug of his life. He’d also confessed to Jocelyn about dream walking with Nico and how that had led to their mother suspecting him of betraying her. She’d teased him about Nico thinking they were married. He shot upright—well, he tried, but it was more of a struggle than he would have liked, and Nico watched him closely, muscles tensed like he was a split second away from helping him. Once he was braced against the hard headboard, he took a deep breath and met Nico’s haunted eyes. “I need to tell you something.” Swallowing, Nico stood, the small chair creaking in protest. “I already know about your family, Keegan.” Goddess, he looked… he looked like someone he loved had died.
The Witch and His Doctor
In this series finale, the Kincaid Pack is forced to put everything on the line… or lose everything they hold dear.
Damien has a secret.
Actually, he has more than one. His entire life within the Kincaid Pack has been a lie. Now that the truth is starting to come out, he’s faced with accepting the consequences he set into motion years ago.
And hoping his mate will forgive him.
Except the reckless actions of his past may prove to not only be his own undoing… but that of the pack he’s come to love.
Carter gave up on finding his fated mate years ago.
He has a medical practice to keep him busy, a pack he’d do anything for, and a family that’s always been a little too nosy for his peace of mind.
Learning the witch he’s grown to admire and have feelings for has betrayed them all? Just proves he’s getting too old for the whole falling-in-love thing. It doesn’t matter that the moment he catches Damien’s unaltered scent he realizes another devastating secret the man has been hiding.
The only thing that matters is saving the pack—and its alpha.
With Rick’s life hanging in the balance and the pack’s enemies moving to strike against them while they’re at their most vulnerable, it will take every scrap of magic and bravery Damien possesses to prove once and for all where his loyalty lies.
The Witch and His Doctor is the sixth and final book in the bestselling Kincaid Pack series, best read in order. It features an age gap, fated mates, a size difference, hurt/comfort, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Read an excerpt:
“Tell me you can fix him.” The words were an order, but the broken voice Kai said them in made them a desperate plea. Sitting up, Damien covered Kai’s hand on him with his other one. “I’ll do everything I possibly can, but I need to know what happened.” He paused, licking his lips, then saying carefully, “And I need my cuffs removed.” Angry voices began shouting behind him, but he didn’t look away from Kai, not even when he became aware of his magic growing restless as a huge person moved into his periphery. Carter. Of course he was there; Rick was injured. Dying maybe. His wrists grew hotter and more uncomfortable as his magic fought to be free, to reach out to his mate, but he did his best to ignore it all and keep his eyes on Kai. The alpha-mate was nibbling on his bottom lip, staring down at Rick’s face. “He can just tell Tash what to do,” Bennett said behind him, and Damien tried really hard not to feel hurt that they didn’t trust him not to do everything he could to help Rick. “He can’t be trusted, Kai.” He couldn’t stop his flinch at the words, finally dropping his gaze so he didn’t see Kai agreeing with him. He let his free hand drop to his side and waited, knowing Rick didn’t have time for him to argue and that even if he did, they wouldn’t believe him. “Take them off.” At first, Damien couldn’t tell who had said it. He tried to glance around without raising his head, but there were too many people crowding into the room. Everyone who had been out in the hallway—and maybe even more—seemed to be right at the foot of the bed. But when his eyes locked with Gabriel’s, he realized the hunter had been the one to speak up. “You don’t give the orders around here—” Bennett started to say, face twisted in a snarl Damien had never seen on the usually easygoing tiger. “Rick gave me my orders,” Gabriel said, looking past Damien to Kai, who sucked in a breath and tightened his hold on Damien’s forearm. Goddess, he was going to be covered in bruises by the end of the day. “He knew everyone else would be too emotional. My job is to make sure you have a voice of reason helping you right now.” A shadow crossed Gabriel’s face, then disappeared just as fast, his shoulders straightening a bit more as he said, “And in the future, if he doesn’t make it.” No one seemed to like to hear that, voices and growls rising up around them, but Damien was just… really confused. What had happened in the last week that Rick had ended up mortally wounded and asked a human hunter to help his mate in the possible event of his death? There wasn’t time for answers though. He glanced over at Kai just as he nodded and said, “Tash, remove them. And everyone not needed needs to get out.” Everyone but Tashmica and Carter moved to leave, but Damien called out to Gabriel even as he held out his wrists for Tash to remove the cuffs. “Were you with him?” Gabriel turned back and nodded. “Yeah.” “Stay and tell me everything you can. I also need something from the shop.” He said that to Tashmica, and she nodded as she worked on the cuffs, pressing the tips of her fingers to specific sigils in the unique order required to break the spell. “The bottle’s in the back room, right?” The sigils lit up, glowing a bright orange. She removed her fingers and murmured the incantation to finish breaking the binding. “Yes. Have someone—” He gasped as the cuffs suddenly split apart, falling into Tashmica’s waiting hands, and his magic tried to surge free. Curling over, he grunted as he held it back by sheer force of will, wrapping his arms around his stomach. He was panting by the time the feeling finally began to lessen and his voice hoarse as he pushed himself upright again and wiped at his wet cheeks. “Have someone bring the emerald athame too.” She stared at him in horror, looking at his red and blistered wrists and the cuffs fisted in her hands. They didn’t have time for that either though. “Tash,” he said louder, grabbing her shoulders and meeting her wide eyes. “He doesn’t have time. Please.” Nodding, she dropped the cuffs to the ground and pulled out her phone. Even as she selected a contact and raised it to her ear, she whispered, “I’m so sorry, Damien.” “Don’t be,” he said, turning back to Rick. “I deserve it.”
