Sunday Spotlight - Marie Medina and Claimed by His Beta

Welcome Marie Medina back to Sunday Spotlight! She's sharing her new release, Claimed by His Beta (Wolves in the Fae Court, Book 2)

And great news -- you can grab book 1 for FREE to check out the series!

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Luke accompanied his Alpha to the fae court to do his job, nothing more. Since his mate’s death, he’s been fine with a few nights of solace here and there. He’s never needed anything more than that.

But his gaze keeps drifting to one fae in particular—Dane, the best friend of his Alpha’s newly found mate. When he finds out a human hurt Dane years ago, his protective instincts rise and refuse to be calmed. Protective feelings soon turn possessive as he learns more about the beautiful fae. Dane’s more than willing to come to his bed, but Luke wants more than that. Far, far more.

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Luke fought the desire to leave his Alpha’s side as they strolled through the silk-clad crowd with the king. He’d been brought to the fae court to do a job for Gregor, not to find someone to warm his bed. He frowned as he thought about just how cold his bed had been recently, how big and empty it had felt since his mate Sabina’s death two years ago. He glanced to Gregor once more. He’s right. Sabina would be sad, maybe even angry, to see me alone the rest of my life.

His gaze roamed the courtyard and found Dane again. The beautiful blond fae drew him like no other had since Sabina, even though they hadn’t even spoken to each other yet. It made Luke wonder if, this time, he might find more than a single night of comfort with someone. Luke cast his eyes down when Dane looked up. He’d already been caught staring more than once, and by more than one person.

He’s Jared’s best friend. Once Gregor and Jared are mated, Dane will be around all the time. I won’t be able to hide my attraction to him. I can’t even hide it now. He looked over to Dane yet again. He’s so beautiful. He must have admirers, even if he is shy, as the king said.

Luke cut his gaze over when Gregor cleared his throat. “Yes, my Alpha?” he asked.

“You said you wish to speak for yourself instead of letting others play matchmaker. Go do it. That’s an order,” Gregor said, pointing over to Dane.

“You don’t require my services for a while?” Luke asked.

Gregor rolled his eyes. “Stop talking like that. You’ve been doing it ever since we arrived. If I wanted to hear someone talk as if he’s from another century, I’d have brought Vadik instead.”

Luke smiled a moment, wondering what the fae here would think of the large, brutish Beta who was always armed and patrolled their pack lands like a warrior from another time. “I have a duty, best performed at your side, just as Vadik is doing his duty best by watching over our pack,” Luke said. “And we’re in a royal court. I’m trying to act appropriately.”

“Yes, you do have a duty. Obeying me.” Gregor stepped closer. “March over there and introduce yourself. As my mate’s closest friend, Dane will be an honored guest of ours. Often, I would think.” The Alpha smiled. “You two should be well acquainted.”

Luke turned slightly toward King Asmund, who was making a point of looking the other way and pretending not to hear them. So alert to everything around him yet so polite. Not sure our pack is ready for the cunning subtlety of the fae just yet. But he shook that thought off and nodded. “Whatever my Alpha wishes,” Luke said, earning another eye roll from Gregor.

Luke’s heart beat faster as he made his way through the crowd that had gathered to watch The Hunt, an old fae ritual that had been resurrected to commemorate Gregor and Jared’s mating. Luke still didn’t completely understand the game Gregor and Jared were playing with each other, but at least it would be over soon.

When Luke was only a few feet away from Dane, the blond man turned toward him, a faint smile on his face as he leaned against the palace wall. The exterior of the palace consisted of sparkling gray stones, with blue slate on the roof. Purple vines unlike any Luke had ever seen before twined all over the building, and they seemed to sparkle at times as well. The beautiful backdrop only made Dane even more attractive. Luke’s throat constricted as he closed the distance between them. “Dane?” he said quietly, feeling as if the noise of the crowd was already fading away as he approached the spot where Dane stood alone.

“Yes,” Dane said as he pushed away from the wall.

“I’m Luke, Gregor’s Beta.”

Dane smiled, his green eyes so bright they seemed to almost glow. “I know. I’ve seen you patrolling.”

Luke struggled for words, settling on saying, “Gregor and the king thought we should meet.”

“Because I’m close to Jared?”

“Yes, but—” Luke took a step forward, “I wanted to introduce myself anyway.”

Dane’s cheeks went a little pink. “You’ve caught me staring?” he said, with a little laugh.

“Just as you’ve caught me staring, if I’m not mistaken.” Luke moved forward one more step. “The king says you’re a scholar. You’ve been researching us since the negotiations started.”

“His Majesty called me a scholar?” Dane said, a broad smile coming to his face.

“He did. Said you’re an excellent scholar. That you two discuss history and other things some nights.”

“His Majesty has always taken an interest in me. We’re alike in our interests, plus I befriended Jared when other children our age were still a little wary of him because of his shifter blood. The king is a very good man. We couldn’t have a more loving monarch.”

“It certainly sounds like you love him.”

Dane looked up. “Yes, but not like that. He’s like a big brother or uncle, in a way.” His eyes took on a faraway look as he said, “He even saved my life once.” His expression cleared as he smiled, but the curve of his lips seemed forced this time.

“He did?” Luke thought back to what the king had said about Dane being attacked by a human, and his wolf growled deep inside. He wanted to ask questions, but he couldn’t be sure how Dane would feel about the king having revealed that information. Above all else, he didn’t want to scare Dane off.

Dane nodded. “Yes.” He gave a little shrug. “I was young and careless. Got into some trouble in the human world.”

“Humans cause a lot of trouble,” Luke said. And I’d like to cause trouble for the man who hurt you, even if the king insists he took care of the swine.

“At least you can walk among them without drawing too much attention,” Dane said. He pushed his hair behind one of his delicate pointed ears, the one outward sign he wasn’t an ordinary man. “I’m very good at glamouring them, but I still stand out in the human world.”

“Most humans have never seen anyone as beautiful as you are,” Luke said, reaching out and running two fingers over Dane’s jaw.

Dane drew in a deep breath but didn’t step back, though his eyes flicked down.

Luke let his hand drop. “I’m being too forward.”

“No, you aren’t,” Dane said, coming closer. He had to tilt his head back because Luke towered over him. “I’m … not used to getting much attention.”

“That surprises me.” Luke turned to look around at the other fae gathered in the courtyard. “Everyone here is attractive, but in my opinion, you surpass all of them.”

Dane’s gaze wandered over him. “Everyone is talking about you and your Alpha. How handsome and strong you are. Even the tallest and most muscular among us don’t compare to you two.”

“We’re different. That’s the appeal. Back among my pack, I blend into the background quite easily.”

Dane frowned a bit. “You seem different from Gregor. Gentler and more thoughtful.”

“Gentler? More reserved, perhaps.”

The other man studied his face a long time. Luke wanted to bridge the distance between them and brush their lips together, but he sensed that wasn’t why Dane was staring at him. “You seem sad.”

“Do I?” Luke said, taken aback.

“Yes,” Dane said, nodding slowly.

“Perhaps I am a little sad right now.” He nodded toward Gregor, who stood talking with the king and two other fae. “I’m happy Gregor has found his mate, but … it does make me sad because my own mate is dead.”

Dane’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry. What happened to him?”

“Her, actually. Her name was Sabina. We found each other a little less than three years ago. We had ten months together, and then she died.” He swallowed and took a fortifying breath. “Cancer. Wolves are strong, but many human diseases still kill us.”

Dane reached for Luke’s hand, his eyes glistening. “I’m very sorry. I can’t imagine what it’s like, given all I’ve read about the power of the bond.”

“I wasn’t exactly myself for months. Gregor was a good friend to me in those days when I snapped and snarled at everyone and everything.”

“You must have loved her very much.” A tear spilled down each of Dane’s cheeks.

“I did. But I didn’t mean to come over here and make you sad.” He squeezed Dane’s hand in his and reached his other hand up to wipe at one of the tears.

Dane drew back and wiped at his cheeks. “Sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“If I hadn’t said anything about you looking sad, you wouldn’t have been forced to think about it.”

He shook his head slowly. “I think about it almost every day. You did nothing wrong.” He took Dane’s hand again. “I’m sorry I brought up something so serious when we’re supposed to be celebrating.”

Dane looked around at all the other fae drinking wine and eating, talking and laughing. “They all think this was planned for their amusement. A throwback to celebrate the alliance between wolves and the fae.”

“Gregor and I were discussing that. How no one else knows that Jared really was resisting the mating. That he and Gregor are … you know, I don’t even understand it.”

“Jared’s being stubborn. He’s fallen for Gregor completely, but he’s trying to prove a point because Gregor made decisions without talking to him first. I think he’s glad Gregor read about The Hunt and decided to invoke it. He wants to yield to the Alpha, but he’s struggling with that first step.”

“Wants to submit without being seen as submissive?”

Dane nodded.

“They’ll both be happier once this is settled. He’ll soon realize that he’s going to be the one really wielding the power in their relationship.”

“How is Gregor? Is it harder to be denied because he’s an Alpha?”

Luke laughed. “To hear him tell it, yes, it’s much harder to be denied. He’s maintaining appearances well enough, but I can feel his longing when I’m near him. His wolf is going crazy because they haven’t claimed Jared yet.”

Dane looked to the forest. “I’m sure Jared won’t go far into the woods. Won’t make him work too hard.”

“It’s the perfect way to claim him. Very primal.”

Dane’s brows came together. “It’s a little confusing, the way shifters refer to their other half. Is your wolf truly like a separate being, or a part of yourself? You said they just now, talking about Gregor claiming Jared.”

“That’s very hard to explain to a non-shifter, but I can try.” He leaned against the wall, pleased when Dane came to lean beside him. He looked down into the beautiful man’s eyes and said, “I definitely feel as if my wolf is an independent being. Yet he’s a part of me. He’s with me now, listening to everything and watching you. Communicating with me. And when I’m shifted, I’m there inside of him doing the same thing. Neither of us ever fully retreats or gives over control completely. We are different in many ways. Think differently. Even disagree and argue with each other.”

“Did your wolf want to meet me as much as you did?” Dane asked.

Luke licked his lips. “My wolf is very interested in you. And likes that you aren’t as shy as I was told.”

Dane looked wary. “Everyone says I’m shy.”

“You don’t think of yourself as shy?”

Dane shook his head. “I’m quiet. It’s not the same.”

Smiling, Luke turned toward Dane. “Perhaps others say you’re shy because they want to know you better. They’re frustrated you’re making them work for it.”

“If I’m worth it, they shouldn’t consider it work.”

“True,” Luke said, anxious to touch Dane and trying to find a way to hold back. “Would you like to see my wolf?”

Dane’s face lit up. “I’d love that. Wolves are beautiful, and I’ve never seen a shifter in animal form before.”

Luke pushed away from the wall and glanced to the crowd. “Where can we go? I don’t really want an audience.”

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Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and His One

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight. They're here today to share a bit from His One, an interracial, paranormal gay erotic romance...


Everyone deserves someone to be his own

Treymont McCarthy knew who his mate was, had since the moment he met him. However, seeing what his new king had had to go through with his mate, he’d not wanted to do that. He’d been alone for so long, he would survive.

Danny Neal enjoyed life. He had plans but it was much easier to party and ignore any responsibility. When a shifter from his recent past shows up, he realizes there is more than just drinking and partying. There was also forever.

Theirs is a different relationship, but when it’s all said and done, will he agree to be His One?

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Copyright © 2018, Hayden West

Chapter One

Treymont McCarthy killed the rogue Kodiak bear shifter with a final snarl of rage as he ripped out his throat. The creature fell instantly, blood staining the upper mountain snow. In many places spring was segueing into summer. Not up here.

Ears twitching for the slightest sound, he trotted away as if it was an everyday occurrence to be set upon by an animal more than five times his size.

Trey?

Yes, Alpha?

He drew up short, as he’d arrived at an outcropping. Below there were some deer scraping the snow, hoping for a green shoot or two for nourishment.

Time to come in.

On my way.Even as he sent the communication to Chase, his Alpha, his best friend, his king, the wolf within him curled his lips in distaste. He was not made for the throne room. He was a warrior, not any good with the politics that played in the royal realm.

However, he would obey because that’s what he did. What he’d always done and what he’d always do.

He tipped his head back, a lonely, haunting howl pouring free. The prey below bolted, and he didn’t care about them one way or another. Eventually his call was answered by the wild ones. Pleasure rippled along him as well as the icy wind that moved his dark coat.

When the final strains faded from the air, he bounded away and headed back down the mountain to the palace.

Shifting before he arrived, he strode to the door with his smooth stride. He barely acknowledged the guards at the door or the few in the hall leading to the throne room. A wolf at the door scurried to swing it open so he never had to slow.

Trey stared up at the dais.

Chase sat there on the large throne, looking as if born to sit there. Which in a way he had been, but where before the new king hadn’t appeared all that comfortable there, now he did. He was at home.

Trey shifted his gaze to the seat beside Chase. Zach occupied that one. He didn’t look there long.

“You required my presence, Alpha,” he said after bowing.

He barely acknowledged Zach, not because he wanted to slight him but because after he had gone through his forced conversion, his wolf had a few wild streaks of anger and unpredictability within him. Zach understood and remained silent. There wasn’t any wish to provoke that creature into making his presence known.

“Come walk with me.”

Trey didn’t have any reason to speak so he waited for the man to whom he swore his allegiance to near. Executing a perfect spin, they walked the length of the throne room.

“You are away more often than not now, my friend. Is everything okay? I smell urus blood on you.”

“I’ve been patrolling the north end, dealing with the few remaining rouge bears who were part of the plot against you. I was confident that Harry and Victor were protecting you well enough. Did you need me to stay close?”

God, he hoped not. It was proving hard enough to be around the happy and in love couple but when you lusted after your king’s brother-in-law, that was bound to set off a slew of problems.

“No, I actually have an assignment for you. I need you to deliver a packet to the head of the Olver Clan, Panas Crouch, for me.”

Trey blinked and furrowed his brow. “The top clan of those in the Eastern Clans?”

“Yes.” Chase took a deep breath. “I have to begin repairing the damage my father and uncle created during their years.”

“I don’t need your reasons, Alpha. You ask and I perform.”

“Coming from anyone else and I would take offense,” Chase said with a smile. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Sure, just jacking off repeatedly to mental recollections of your mate’s brother.“Yes, Alpha.”

“Is this your way of telling me the old days have passed for good?”

“That changed the moment you found your mate.” The words were spoken without rancor. He had no jealousy or anger for Chance, only happiness. “Excuse me while I go get ready. It will be a long trip.” With one final bow, he let himself out of the room that used to be filled with gratuitous acts of sex and violence but now was silent and clean.

Showered and packed, he walked to the door and opened it to Zach lifting one hand to knock.

“A word.” A glance up and down the hall. “In private.”

Silent, Trey moved back into the room and closed the door quietly behind him, alert for the wolf to make an appearance. The man turned and put blue eyes on him, no sign of his wolf anywhere.

Another slight bow. “How can I be of service?”

Sunday Spotlight - Adam Charles and EVAN'S WOLF

Welcome Adam Charles back to my Sunday Spotlight series!  He's bringing the final book in his CHANGES series - Evan's Wolf.

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The final book in the Changes series...

Evan goes to a neighboring pack to help strengthen ties since their alphas have mated. Despite his excitement about meeting new people—and potentially a mate—he doesn’t make many friends right away. Lots of old pack rules have changed recently, and after a suggestion from a fellow beta, Evan begins to wonder if he’s been looking in the wrong place for a mate. He was popular with the omegas in his other pack, but maybe another beta is just the change of pace he needs…

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Evan’s Wolf

Changes, Book Three

Copyright © 2018 by Adam Charles

Evan woke up sore, but in the most fabulous way. Reece had given him the fucking of his life with that thick cock of his, and Evan wanted more, even though he preferred to top. If Reece kept fucking him like he had the night before, Evan could get used to being on the bottom.

Or they could find a cute little omega right away so Evan could still get his fill of fucking another. Imagining pounding into another man as Reece took him made Evan sigh. He stretched and rolled over, only to realize Reece wasn’t there. The man came out of the bathroom a minute later, looking a little frazzled.

“What’s up?” Evan asked. He’d expected Reece to look as sated and happy as he had when they’d fallen asleep tangled in each other’s arms.

“You’re about to meet some opponents of the new changes, if you’re up for it. Part of my job includes keeping people from getting stirred up. Over anything. I have to be even more vigilant with our alpha gone.”

“Keeping the peace?”

“Yeah, basically.”

Evan nodded. “Sure. I’ll help.” If Reece was going to face something difficult, Evan wanted to be by his side. As rough and aggressive as he’d been in bed, Reece seemed to have a sweet, tender side as well. Evan liked the combination, and it also made him feel even more protective. Maybe Reece didn’t need protecting the way an omega would, but if they were together any length of time, Evan would not tolerate any mistreatment coming Reece’s way.

“Okay, great. I have some coffee going. I’ll let you get dressed.” Reece left the room.

Evan hurriedly got dressed. He hadn’t had a chance to shower, but he could do that later. He didn’t care if anyone smelled Reece on him. Even though he seemed to have rinsed off, Reece still smelled of Evan a bit. Evan smiled, liking that.

Evan found two travel mugs for them, and they both filled them with black coffee before heading out. They found three people—two men and a woman—standing in the square basically lecturing anyone who would stop to listen to them. All three had dark hair and eyes and very similar features. They looked like they had to be related.

“Who are they?” Evan asked.

“Carson’s the biggest. Then there’s Graham and Raven. Siblings. Graham and Raven were twins, which you know is rare. Makes them feel even more entitled.” Lowering his voice, he said, “Carson’s known for pressuring omegas who resist him. No one’s ever been brave enough to say he actually forced an encounter.”

“So he’s not a fan of the new omega rights because it could mess up his fun.”

“Exactly.”

All three stopped talking and looked over at Reece and Evan. Raven came forward first, scenting the air. “And it’s begun,” she said. “One of our strongest, most virile males is fucking a beta. From another pack. This union will produce no pups, and it might take our enforcer away from us.” She bowed her head slightly. “Even if we disagree, you serve our pack well. Losing you would hurt us, especially with our alpha away.”

“Thank you for the compliment, but that doesn’t make it okay for you to say who I can or cannot fuck. Or mate. If you respect my office and service, you should do the same for our alpha, who wanted all of this.”

“And where is he?” Carson asked. He pointed to his right. “He’s with another pack, letting their alpha dominate and fuck him. Alphas fuck. It is disgraceful for any alpha to bend and submit.”

“But he fell in love,” one woman said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Carson. “Some people want that. Love, not just rutting to produce pups or further bloodlines.”

Carson snarled at her and everyone who nodded at her words. “It is disgraceful. And he took his brother with him. Practically gave him to the other pack. Noah was a fertile omega who should’ve been mated and bred long ago.”

A man laughed. “You say that because you wanted him and Thomas denied you.”

“That is a lie!” Carson yelled. “I am the strongest beta here. Who else would be most fit to breed the alpha’s own brother? My suit was in limbo when this other alpha turned Thomas’s head.”

“Wait a minute,” Evan said. “That’s not the way it was. They talked about it. Reflected on it. They were lovers for a time before they ever presented anything to the council. It was no whim. They put a careful proposal together. These changes are for the good of all of us.”

“This is not your concern,” Graham said as he fixed Evan with a glare.

Reece held up his hand when Graham moved toward Evan. “He was sent here by our alpha. He has a right to speak as long as he’s here. We’re all one people despite living in different packs. We have to adapt in order to survive. How can we thrive if we oppress our own kind? Omegas should have been given full rights long ago.” He fixed his gaze on Graham. “I won’t have you harassing our guest.”

“Says the man who reeks of his cum,” Graham said. He took two more steps forward. “You both waste your seed. If you want a stronger mate, there are more than enough female betas.”

“Mating should be about more,” Reece said. “I’d rather fight and work for someone I love than someone I just happened to put a baby in. You can live and fuck how you want, but you won’t poison others against these changes.”

Graham glared at them both as he moved in even closer. “You couldn’t at least choose a beta from your own pack to sate your lust with?” he whispered low enough that only they could hear him. After eyeing Evan a moment, he added, “I know I could please you better than he did.”

Sunday Spotlight - April Andrews and Pack Versus Mates

Welcome to Sunday Spotlight! April Andrews is returning to share a bit from her new release Pack Versus Mates.  It's the 8th book in her The Omega Auctions series. If you love wolf shifters, alphas and omegas, then you should check out this series!

If you’re born an omega, you don’t get to stay with your pack. Instead, you’re sent to the Omega Auctions, a place where wolves are traded between packs...a place where they have no say in their future…but a place where, at long last, some wolves are finally fighting back…

On a farm in the middle of nowhere two omega wolves are being held captive by their pack. But, Art and Joe have heard stories of a group of wolves who are setting omegas free and offering them a new life. Art and Joe want a chance at a new life too…but they don’t just want it for themselves, they want it for their mate as well.

Jared has also heard these stories and he is worried about what is going to happen to his pack, and to his mates. So, when the farm is raided by members of the free pack of wolves his first instinct is to protect Joe and Art, to keep them safe, and to keep them with his pack.

But, it isn’t going to be as simple as that. Before long, Jared is going to be faced with a difficult choice. To stand by the pack that he has been loyal to his entire life, or to stand by his mates

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Joe awoke to the feel of soft, fluttering kisses on the very top of his cock-head. He gasped from the contact and not least because he knew those lips better than he knew his own, and the last time he had touched them had been just hours ago as he kissed his mate goodnight.

Only, now those lips were on his shaft and Joe sighed with pleasure as they moved along the length, leaving little tingles of delight in their wake. Joe loved how that felt. Art knew exactly how to please him with his lips. It was one of the many things that Joe loved about his mate.

He sighed and arched his hips before reaching down and running his fingers through Art’s hair.

“Art?” he whispered even as hands began to run along his chest.

“Who else?” Art asked.

“That feels so good,” Joe whispered.

“Always,” Art replied.

His hands were moving lower now, running along Joe’s thighs. Joe knew what that meant, and he eagerly spread them for the other man before reaching out with his arms, welcoming Art above him, into him, exactly where the other man belonged.

But then…a shadow crossed over his vision. Joe gasped as he realized exactly what that meant. His cock jerked against Art’s open mouth. Pre-cum blossomed. Art licked it up even as Joe gasped again.

“Jared…” he whispered.

Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and His Mate's Conversion

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight with His Mate's Conversion -- the second part of The Prince's Mate story.

* * * *

Chase’s only way to save Zach was to force a painful conversion. It hadn’t been done in years and the last time, the creature that had emerged had to be put down.

This was different. This was Chase’s mate.

After the change is over, Zach doesn’t recognize Chase on anything but a molecular level. Could he rein in his mate’s anger and help Zach past this…

Or would he have to fight the man who was his savior?

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Chapter One

Chase wiped off the remaining water that sluiced down his body as he stepped closer to the mirror. With a free hand, he smeared away the steam from the glass and stared at his reflection. His injuries had faded as he knew they would.

Beads of water gathered on his skin before rolling over his muscles. He turned his back to the mirror and reached for his pants. Once he’d tugged them on, he padded silently from the bathroom to the main part of the suite.

Zach continued to sleep on the massive bed. His body still needed to heal. Chase scratched at his chest and struggled with the urge to go over to his mate and wake him slowly with drugging kisses and touches.

Instead, he reached for a clean Henley and tugged it on over his head. After he finished dressing, he opened the door to his room. Treymont was by the door.

“You know you don’t have to stand guard while we’re here, right?”

“I know I will always protect you.”

“Have you eaten?”

“No, Victor went to grab a bite. Harry is healed and in our room, sleeping.”

“Want me to bring you something?”

“I’ll get something after you come back to your mate.”

“Keep an eye out although I’m inclined to believe we’re safe here for the time being.”

“I hope so. But there have been times that we weren’t safe with the Krylo Lynxes, you know this. I believe with Leni we are safe now. She’s not of the old school like our parents.”

Treymont shrugged and crossed his arms. Chase let it go, aware his right-hand man wouldn’t be going anywhere for the time being. He continued down the hall, making his way through the palace to the formal dining room. Pushing open the door, he spied a large spread on the tables but only the queen was there.

Yurilenska “Leni” Torov lifted her head when he stepped in but didn’t speak. Beyond her, he spied her guards.

She had feline features which helped her beauty increase. Her long sable hair had streaks of gray and silver in it, all colors which she portrayed when she shifted.

He’d only seen it once. Back when he was a pup there had been a dispute and she’d not yet been queen. However, when she shifted and beat the shit out of the insolent wolf cub, he’d garnered a healthy respect for her and the rest of the lynxes. They weren’t to be trifled with just because they were smaller cats.

“How are you feeling, Prince?”

“Fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for allowing us sanctuary.”

She waved a hand and the sentries vanished without a sound. Only once they were truly alone did she approach him.

He watched her, cautiously but with respect. They’d been friends, but he wasn’t sure where he stood now that she was the ruling force of this clan.

“No need for the formality.” She paused about five feet away.

Chase stared at the golden flakes in her eyes. She was a shrewd ruler and while he had an instinctive need to distrust those of the feline kind, he harnessed it.

“Very well, Leni.” He reverted to the name he’d heard her called during childhood. “How are you?”

“Fine. Got rid of the old useless male king so this is now my kingdom.” She raked her gaze up and down his form. “We women should rule anyway. We’re better at it than anyone with a swinging dick could be.”

He smiled. “I’m not getting into a pissing match with you on which sex is better. I, for one, happen to think we would do wonderfully as a ruling couple.”

She returned his grin. “If only I liked men and you preferred women. But you’re right, we are the most levelheaded of our kind. Your father is psychotic.”

She dragged her finger down between full breasts, for anyone else it would be an invitation. For him it wasn’t anything other than a movement on her end. She could strip naked and he wouldn’t give a damn one way or the other.

He blinked at her, not deigning that comment with a response. She laughed.

“Ever the good son, even when he wants you dead.”

That comment grabbed his attention. “Who wants me dead? I already know the one who attacked was Larkin who is working with Gooddard.”

She strolled to her throne and spread out in the deep seat, not at all sitting like a princess or a queen, but like the feline she truly was. Loose-limbed and sprawled over the arms, her long hair trailed on the floor.

Krylo tradition was to have the throne in the dining room as much of what they did revolved around eating and socializing. This way the ruler could be part of it all.

“Sweetie, you’re so naïve it’s almost cute.” She swung one leg back and forth, her heeled shoe falling to the marble floor with a thump. “Your father put them onto you. He doesn’t want you to take the throne. And if you’re so busy running and fighting for your life and that of your mate, you won’t be home for the ceremony to take over the rule.”

“It’s not like he dies when I take over. He was the one who pushed me to go.”

“And he isn’t ready to give up all his power. Your father, that fucking asshole of a king, is enjoying terrorizing his subjects. And more than that, he’s alienating your kind from the humans, allowing the wolves to take what they will without any consequences.”

Had he truly been away so long that his father was a man he wouldn’t recognize anymore? Sourness piled in his gut.

“How do you know this?”

“We all have our spies.” She rolled her body back to her feet in a lithe, sensual move. “Mine are just better than others.”

“How did he know where I was?”

Another laugh as she bent forward to fasten her shoe back on her foot. He watched her, the purple dress cupping her full breasts yet barely keeping them from popping free.

She tossed her hair and headed for the door. “Follow.”

He listened, ignoring that his stomach rumbled at the large spread of food he walked away from. Food wasn’t at the top of his list, not when he had the chance to find out what his father had planned for him. Or how he was managing to get this done.

Check out Part 1 here

Just Wrote THE END -- The Best Little Whorehouse on Planet X

Just a quick update -- just completed my first draft of The Best Little Whorehouse on Planet X and it's been sent off to my editor.  Should hopefully be released within the next couple of weeks.  Just a little hint -- it will involve alien quad pairings and the story starts in Kazru's whorehouse from the Slave World Series.  It isn't a continuation of the Slave World Series, just another alien race from that world.

And of course, Tripp's Claiming is coming soon, too.  I hope to have that one out this weekend, or early next week at the latest.

Now, I'll be getting started on Tristan's Wolf this weekend.  I'm really excited to finally tell Tristan and Paul's story -- and see how merging the two packs is going to go.  I expect it to be quite volatile.

Tristan's Wolf was supposed to be the final tale in this series -- but I think there's more to say.  I think White Wolf deserves to find some happiness, especially after years of self-imposed exile for being a half-breed.  Maybe he'll find love with someone from his old pack...one never knows.

Have a great weekend and keep your eyes peeled for the new releases!