Luke’s breath caught in his throat when he absorbed the hidden forest the cave led to, where the trees were greener and lusher than usual. But there were bald spots where they didn’t grow. Slipping in gave him the sight of more bald spots, where the charred wooden pieces and old signs of life became more visible. She stilled at the first look. Then Maya kept moving with purpose, and he followed suit, securing the place before returning to where she was.“Maya?”“The ashes were swept away by the wind or swallowed by the soil,” she mumbled, taking in the grounds. “The burned pieces…no one moved them.”There were a few huts that didn’t burn completely, so they went inside one. Here, Maya trembled until he had to soothe her back, then slide her into a comforting hug.“This was the clan leader’s hut. He insisted on keeping it equal for everyone.”“He sounds like a nice man.”“He was to us. I wasn’t close to him, but I knew he would have done anything for us.” A pause. “The other hut…it was

The conversation dwindled. So did her anger. Belatedly, it dawned that it was his purpose, and she gave him an exasperated look. Movement from the screen had her glancing. Then she was locked in when a willowy woman sauntered closer to Sam and bowed before him. Another memory fluttered in: this woman peering at them from a tree branch seconds before Maya was battered with pain.“I know her,” Maya blurted out.“Is it done?” Sam asked.The woman nodded. “Your father’s business lands are being transferred under your name. You are getting favorable reviews from the rest as they have come to accept your new role.”“There’s the answer to my question,” Luke muttered. “The bastard’s the leader now.”Maya scMayad her head, trying to remember another power figure and failing. “He headed the attack before.”“Maybe an order.”That she couldn’t put a face to whoever had ordered it frustrated her and she wished she had answers. The woman stepped closer when Sam gestured.“They will become more agre

That gave some comfort. The rain fell at night, and everyone wandered indoors. It should have been the end of the topic as he settled in bed while Maya joined a few shifters in the mansion’s living room. But restlessness seized him, refusing to go away. When he went back out and didn’t see Maya with the rest, Luke continued walking until he found her at the side of the mansion. The outdoor activity center and greenhouse had become invisible in the weather onslaught, and all they could see were glimpses every time lightning streaked in.“Cold weather,” he mused.“Yes. This rain is going to last all night, I think.”Silence.“Maya?”“Hmm?”“What did you feel in North Bear?”She stiffened, then didn’t respond for a while. Part of him wanted to file it down to paranoia and having a bad experience there, but her answer confirmed his suspicions.“Heavy.”“Well, shit. I guess I have to do something about it.”He traipsed off towards Angelo’s office, then glanced back when he realized he wasn

What is this?she mouthed to Luke, who had no answer. Tearing her gaze away from the sight had been a struggle, so she returned her attention to it and counted the minutes. The pattern didn’t change, a steadiness that comforted and relaxed her bit by bit. In her head, she matched the rhythm with a song she knew from when she was young and smiled. She enjoyed it so much that she closed her eyes, excited to return to the main territory so she could teach the kids the song.Harry will love it. Margaret will be delighted and will sing it over and over. Rainier will tease them and tell everyone about it, then will sing it the loudest.The attachment to them brought a sudden pang to her heart, knowing she would leave them when she had things figured out. Rosalia’s giggle came to mind, but it was Luke’s face that stuck there, as understanding as always when she finally told him that she needed to move on. He would let her go. He would be as complacent as always, the ever-supportive man who of

His tone hinted that he was teasing, but something on her face had his features darkening. Before she could answer, he was leaning in to capture her lips, a testing kiss that caught her by surprise. Even so, it was already instinctive to kiss him back, and what started as a test became a rising desire that spread tingles over every inch of her body.Refusing to be the only one feeling it, she searched his tongue and sucked on it, then rubbed his thigh up and down. When she was inches from crawling on his lap and forgetting propriety, Luke broke the kiss with a sharp exhale and his thumb resting under her one breast. His lips skimmed down her shoulder as he breathed her in.“I wanted to dare you if we could be quiet here, but I don’t think I can be quiet,” he said in a low, silky voice against her ear before his tongue played with her earlobe. “Maya…”“What?”“I need you.”Perhaps she could have denied him if it was a different scenario, but the rawness in his voice gave her no defense