Chapter 4

"Have you been in New Orleans long?" Wynter asked as she opened the door and flicked on the lights.

"Um, a few years. I kind of lay low," Cassia replied.

"You're a psychic, right?"

"Sort of. Not really. I, um, I read tarot cards. It's more like an intuition thing for me."

"I've always wanted to get a reading, but I wanted someone to do it who's the real deal, ya know?"

"Yeah, the industry is ripe with fakes."

"How'd you learn?"

"I guess I was always kind of spiritual. I mean, our energy … our magick … it exists for reasons unknown to all of us. But the truth is when I left home in a hurry, I had to find a way to survive. I picked it up one day, and I can't explain it. The cards spoke to me. The more I read people's cards, the more in tune I was and could provide them with a solid read. It's a service."

"Would you read for me?" Excitement lit in Wynter's eyes.

"You want a reading? Of course. I'd love to read for you." Any pent up anxiety melted away. She smiled, watching Wynter inspect every inch of the room, making sure everything was in order. "But I don't have any cards. I?—"

"This is New Orleans, honey. I'll get some for you."

"That would be lovely. My old deck…I had to leave them behind. There was a fire at my store. I haven't been home since it happened." Home? Sadness washed over Cassia. Painful memories of selling everything to move to the next place surfaced. She'd never collected many things, couldn't create a proper home. She'd learned long ago not to form emotional attachment to things or people. She told herself things were just things … even if they weren't.

"Hey," Wynter turned to Cassia. "I heard about the fire. I'm so sorry."

"Thanks, yeah. There's been a couple of fires," she confessed. "We've been on the run from hellhounds … they're after me. We can go if we're putting you in danger. Logan said?—"

"You're safe here. Look, I know full well what's spinning around this town. We work hard to make sure we're all secure. And we are. But I also know that when something is chasing you …" Wynter's expression fell serious. "I've seen things too. There was a demon … it nearly came for my daughter. Sydney … a human. She saved us that day, gave her mortal life for us." A small smile crossed her face. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that there are times in our lives when we all need help. Julian's family. Jake's mom and dad took him in. And he's an ancient. The Prince of Wolves."

"I keep hearing that … I know he's older." Cassia smiled.

"Well, yes, didn't he explain it? He's like royalty." Wynter raised her eyebrows as she grinned. "I'm not sure how many ancients exist but they're out there. And he's one of them."

"He's definitely special." Cassia forced an impassive expression as she attempted to hide her feelings.

Wynter gave a warm smile. "Hey, I'm sure you're tired, so I'll get going. There's a switch over there for the fireplace if you get cold. We keep this suite for guests but to be honest we haven't had anyone to the pack house in a while."

"I really appreciate you letting us stay."

"It's a pleasure. I'm headed back into the city tomorrow but you guys can stay as long as you want." Wynter turned to her with a gentle demeanor. "I don't know all what's going on but I just want to say that I've been there. What I mean to say is that it wasn't too long ago I was on the run myself. It's how I met Logan."

"I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

"I get it. I literally was hiding in Logan's yard when he found me. This world gets a little crazy. And by world I mean our supernatural world. I don't know Julian, but I do know he's an Alpha. There's nowhere safer than with pack. With Julian."

"Chameleons don't live in packs so I've been alone a long time."

"Well, kiddo." Wynter reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, her voice earnest and comforting. "You've got a pack now. Ours. And maybe someday with Julian."

Cassia returned her smile, her heart melting at Wynter's kindness. Though part of her almost felt guilty for accepting their help, a bigger part of her was overwhelmed with gratitude. Julian. Pack.

"Ah, there's my lovely mate." Logan's voice echoed in the hallway.

"My Alpha." Wynter's eyes lit with love as the Alpha ushered Julian into the suite.

"Y'all will be safe here. If you want to run later, we'll be out around midnight."

"Thank you for the invitation," Julian said, his focus on Cassia. "Hey. Everything all right?"

"Yes. It's perfect." Their eyes locked on each other's as he strode toward her.

"I think we'd better go, cher." Logan shot a knowing smile at Wynter.

"Thank you," Julian said without taking his eyes off his mate.

As the door clicked shut, Cassia released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. The Alpha had stirred an awakening deep inside her, one she struggled to restrain.

"You sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, of course. Dinner was … so nice." She broke eye contact and glanced at the king sized bed. Thump. Thump. Thump.Jesus, Cass. Calm down. Cassia made her way to a small sitting room and slid onto the sofa. She wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach and bit her lip.

"You cold?" Julian searched and quicky located the switch to the fireplace and its flames roared to life.

"I'm sorry for all of this. Logan, Wynter … they're quite lovely to have us. It almost felt like …" Family. "Well, I suppose this is the way of wolves."

"We look out for each other."

"But you don't live here in New Orleans."

"I live everywhere." Julian gestured out the window to the bayou. "From New Orleans to Idaho to Brazil. I travel the world. Roam with the wolves. My bloodline is ancient, going back to the very beginning of the hellfire that sparked the shifters. Wolves, including the Acadian wolves … they are, in some respects, my family. Perhaps not close like my sister, but still."

"But you don't have a pack."

"I've forgone leading a pack for most of my existence. It was unexpected, but now I have Rafe. I resisted at first, but Greyson … well, as you can see, he's quite persuasive at times, and I do feel like helping out my sister. Being around the wolf, being with Rafe, it's been ..." Julian laughed. "It's been good. Good for him and me. Good but unexpected. Sort of like you."

A shy smile broke across her face. "So I guess that means he's your first pack member?"

"Well, I don't know that I'm fixin' to start a pack. But yeah, I guess he is. Rafe was an unexpected development. Some things … you can't control. It is the way of the Goddess. It is the way of fate."

Cassia's pulse raced as he focused on her and stalked toward her as if she were prey.

"Sometimes, there is no choice. Her magick is strong. It's the way of the future."

"Sometimes fate sucks though. How could she bring me hellhounds and a life on the run?" She fought the resentment on the daily, tired of running, missing her family.

"Destiny is not promised to be kind, Cass. It only exists." Julian slid onto the ottoman directly in front of her and reached for her hand.

"What are you trying to say?"

"It's just that sometimes we can't control things. This thing that's happening … all of it … for whatever reason, we were supposed to meet. I was supposed to save you that day. Then you came to warn me. And now? We'll keep asking ‘round New Orleans. We'll go to Idaho, too, if we can't find answers here. We may even find an answer one of these days but it won't change the fact that you and I meeting … this was meant to be. It's not all bad."

"Why is it when you tell me this I feel …" Cassia's chest tightened. His power radiated through her skin. Her cheeks flushed as desire threaded through her. "It's just sometimes … I feel like I've always known you. But it's impossible."

"Maybe on some level we have." His eyes fell to her lips.

Cassia struggled to focus as the tip of his thumb brushed her palm. The Alpha tempted her like no other man she'd ever met. Fate. Destiny. What is he trying to tell me? A whisper in the back of her mind spoke to her. Mate.

"I believe in fate. It's just … this thing … it's unusual." Cassia struggled to find her words. "But I can't help thinking …"

"Maybe we need to stop thinking and just be." Julian pressed his lips to her palm. "You know … there's a beautiful sky tonight. Not yet a full moon, but not much light pollution here in the bayou. Logan mentioned there's a hot tub out there."

"I'm sorry, what?" She released a nervous laugh, relieved he'd changed the subject.

"I'll grab some towels."

"Are you serious?"

"Hell yeah, I'm serious. Rafe and Greyson are out doing whatever vampires do. Logan's busy with his pack for a while." Julian jumped up and peeked out the sliding glass door. "It's private. A beautiful night."

"You are serious." She laughed. Jesus, it had been so long since she'd done something fun and spontaneous she'd nearly forgotten the feeling. "Yes."

"Yes." Julian clapped his hands together. "All right. I'll turn the heat up on it and meet you out there. Look there." The Alpha spied a basket full of rolled up towels. "See. It's meant to be."

"You're sure it's okay?"

"It's better than okay … it's perfect."

* * *

Cassia steppedout into the cold air, a towel wrapped around her. What am I doing? You want to fuck him, is what you want. She took a deep breath and blew it out, determined to have just a tiny bit of fun. Death and demons were waiting for her tomorrow.

"It's perfect. You're going to love it." Julian smiled at her from the hot tub. "Come in. I promise I won't look."

Cassia's mouth dropped open as Julian rose like a Greek God from the hot tub, the water rippling down the hard planes of his chest. The light of the candles reflected off his washboard abs as he stood before her. They skated the v of his pelvis, never revealing below it.

What the? Oh my fucking God?—

"Cass? You okay?' Julian shot her a flirty smile.

"Yeah, um, I'm …" She struggled not to stammer like a nervous schoolgirl, but she'd never seen a more delicious wolf. She laughed. "I'm good. It certainly looks, uh, hot."

"Oh it's hot, all right. Lots of steam."

"Well, I bet it's good for you, then. I'm sure it is. You certainly look healthy." Sexy as fuck … like he's been working out his entire life. Oh Goddess.

"Sure is. Do ya want to come in?" He laughed a bit.

"Sorry, yes, of course." She recalled his kiss, his fingers between her legs and stared at him wearing a smile. Her eyes lit with amusement. Jesus Christ, Cass. Get it together girl. Just because you're about to get naked again with a hot as fuck Alpha wolf … you got this. "Just um, a sec."

"I'm not a prude by any means but I am a gentleman." Julian turned around, giving her privacy.

"Oh, thank you, but I'm a shifter too. It's cool." Cassia tossed her towel onto the chair. Her nipples instantly stood at attention, the cool air blowing over her skin.

She took slow deliberate steps as she descended into the pool. Cassia reached for him, her fingertips grazing his shoulder, and he turned to face her. Breath escaped from her lungs and she nearly gasped as his eyes met hers and slowly painted over her body. She wanted him to see her … to make love to her. Life was short and she wasn't going to waste another second of it.

"You're beautiful," he told her.

Cassia gasped as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down onto his lap. She straddled him, the hot water massaging her body.

"Julian," she said, her voice soft. Locked in his gaze, her pulse raced. The ruggedly handsome Alpha wore desire on his face. "How is it I feel like I've always known you? I'm not wolf."

"My beast knows yours, meu amor."

Cassia's heart pounded in her chest as he leaned toward her, his lips brushing over hers.

"We are connected," he whispered.

"We are." Cassia felt it deep in her soul. Not only did her beast know him, she sought to claim him as her own.

As Julian's mouth crushed onto hers, Cassia melted into his embrace. Her beast howled, demanding her Alpha. Julian deepened their kiss and Cassia tunneled her fingers into his hair. As her mound teased over his hardened cock, her pussy throbbed with desire.

"Oh Goddess," she moaned into his mouth.

Cassia gave a stifled breath as he broke the kiss. She registered a sweet twinge of pain, as he tugged on her hair, her head tilting backward, exposing her neck. The heat between her legs intensified as he brushed his lips to her skin, kissing along her neck. Her skin broke out in gooseflesh, his lips teasing the delicate skin beneath her earlobe.

"I'm going to devour you." It was a promise.

"Alpha," she whispered.

"Do you understand? You're mine," he growled.

"Oh Goddess, yes." Her heart tightened, desire flooding between her legs. While her mind warred with the possibility of being the Alpha's mate, her body would confirm it.

"Meu amor, I must have you. Tell me you want this," he demanded, his fingers caressing her full breast.

"Yes, Julian, yes." She cried as he reached between her legs and brushed his thumb over her clit.

She sucked a breath as his lips moved to her nipple. He teased over its tortured tip with his tongue, and bit down gently and tugged. Rewarded with a lustful moan, he laved and sucked her taut peak.

As he drove a thick finger into her pussy, Cassia released a ragged breath, and rested her forehead on his shoulder. She reached for his hardened shaft and gave it a firm stroke, brushing her thumb over its head.

She lost herself as he fucked her with his fingers, her orgasm building. As he added another thick finger inside her and curled it along her sensitive strip of nerves, she broke apart, her orgasm slamming into her. His mouth stifled her cries, but he never relented, flicking his fingers over her clit.

She gasped as he lifted her above him, his tip pressed to her entrance. "Julian."

"Cass." His lips crushed onto hers, his kiss hungry, demanding.

"Yes," Cassia cried as he drove himself up inside her, his rock hard cock filling her pussy. As if she were made just for the Alpha, her tight core stretched to accommodate him, quivering around his hardened shaft.

"Goddess, you feel so good," he grunted.

Devouring the Alpha, she kissed him with passion. Desperate for him, her beast urged her to claim him. Mate. She struggled to ignore it, focusing on her pleasure.

She gasped as he lifted her off him and spun her around. She knelt and braced her palms onto the side of the hot tub, presenting her ass to him. Her beast howled, submitting to the wolf.

"That's it, yes." Julian caressed the globes of her glistening bottom, pressing his tip to her core. "Jesus, you're beautiful."

"Please, I can't …" she begged, panting. Her body ached with need, yearning for his touch.

"That's a girl," he praised, his thumbs grazing down the crack of her ass.

"Oh Goddess." Cassia sucked a breath as he slammed inside her pussy, filling her to the hilt. "Yes … fuck me … fuck me!"

Her body lit with desire as he fucked her, thrusting deep, plunging in and out of her core. The wave of her orgasm beckoned, and she arched her back, pushing back on him, meeting each possessive thrust.

Julian's fingers played at her clit. Her swollen bud thrummed with arousal, her body threading with excitement.

"Cassia …" he breathed. "You feel so fucking incredible.

"Ah yes … I can't stop. Julian … I'm coming, I'm coming …" Cassia rocked with climax, her body shuddering with pleasure in her final moments of ecstasy.

"You're mine," Julian grunted, claiming her body and soul.

Cassia cried out, her body quivering in orgasm as his teeth bit down onto her neck.

With a final thrust, Julian came deep inside her. He released an uninhibited groan as he plunged over the edge of his climax.

Cassia shivered under his touch, his lips kissing over her neck. Her beast howled with pleasure, finding her mate. Cassia's head lolled forward as she attempted to catch her breath. What have I done? My Alpha.

* * *

Cassia wipedthe steam from the mirror and leaned toward it, inspecting her shoulder. Confusion swept over her as she traced her finger over the intricate design on her shoulder. What did he do to me? No, no, no … this cannot be what I think it is. No way. This is not possible.

"Oh Goddess. I can't believe he is my mate." She shook her head and stepped into the hot spray, hoping to clear her head.

What am I going to do?Making love with Julian had been nothing short of incredible. As she closed her eyes and relaxed into the heat, she recalled making love to him. The second he'd bit her, she'd felt his psyche all throughout her own. Her beast hummed in delight and she swore for a second it would speak.

Come little wolf, it had called to her. Alpha. She resisted the urge to submit, but confusion threaded through her as her beast urged her to claim her mate.

She'd never heard of a wolf mating with a chameleon. For years, she'd taken care not to date wolves. She didn't want to risk ever falling for one, aware that they eventually found their mates. Wolves found wolves.

Come run.The voice in her head grew louder and she snapped her head around and swung open the door. "What is happening to me?"

Mate.Cassia sucked a breath, her eyes widened. "No fucking way. I mean … how could this happen? I'm not a wolf. But Julian is. And he's out running with other wolves."

A pang of jealousy stabbed through her. Sure, he'd run with Logan and the other men, but the women … women who'd fight for an Alpha. It was in their nature.

Cassia sighed. "Who cares? You're just losing your mind. I mean sure we just met but there's something between us."

She rubbed at her neck. Why is this happening? "There's no way I'm turning into a wolf. I'm a chameleon who does very chameleon things."

Cassia slammed down her shields to quiet her mind and wrapped herself in a towel. She threw herself into the bed, the fragrance of sex still in the night air. Like a wild animal, she lost herself, recalling how they'd made love.

Mine.Her beast stirred once again as she pulled the sheets over her. She stared at the shiny, silver, tin ceiling above, wishing she'd gone with Julian.

"Cass. Don't do this." Her mind continued to ruminate, aware that Julian ran as a lone wolf. The Alpha embraced the night with others…other wolves … women. "I don't know what is wrong with me, ugh."

She sat up and rested her chin on the heels of her hands, contemplating her next actions. "You should stay here. Where it's safe. You don't know the wolves well. A pack of wolves. Not to mention the possible hellhounds." She laughed, amused she was even considering perhaps the most stupid thing she'd ever done.

Jealousy once again twisted in her gut as her mind spiraled with racing thoughts. The single women would be drawn to Julian before they ever met him. His energy was impossible to resist. They'd test to see if there was interest…if an Alpha would be a mate. Though it mattered little whether or not he was their mate. So close to the full moon, the wolves' libidos ran high.

"Well, fuck, I guess I'm doing this." Cassia shoved to her feet and tore off her towel. She reached for the sliding doors and opened them. Her skin prickled in gooseflesh, the cold air brushing over her body. "What do I go as?"

"He'd want me to run as wolf. I can't do that. Not tonight." Something about changing to wolf rubbed her the wrong way. The Alpha might expect submission in every way … perhaps even her magick. No, tonight she'd remain in control.

Cassia drew in a deep breath letting the oxygen fill her lungs to capacity and commanded her beast. Within seconds, she'd transformed. As she headed toward the door, she caught sight of her beast and roared. She gave a shake and leapt into the night.

The lioness roared in search of her Alpha.

* * *

Stealth.Remain hidden. Don't alert the pack. With each deliberate step, she grew closer. The anticipation pumped in her veins, the cat on the prowl.

She froze behind a tree, listening, every sense on alert. She inhaled the scent of the musky swamp, the scent of forest animals still lingering in the air. Hmmm. The wolves.

Kitten.The Alpha called to her, sensing her presence.

Her spirit smiled. She'd already divulged she was partial to cats.

Come little kitten, he called to her once again.

Cassia ran, her heart pumping, weaving in and out of the trees. She stumbled upon bloodstained dirt. Only the scent and a few random bones of a rabbit remained.

On a hunt, the wolves would waste no food. The craving. The hunger. It must be sated.

Twigs crunched under her paws, yet she was careful not to draw attention to herself. Light flickered in the distance.

Little kitten, where are you?

No matter how many times the Alpha called to her, she refused to simply come. No, the cat would play tonight. She'd stalk her prey, readying to kill.

Never at a loss for control, Cassia had always chosen her beasts with care. But she'd relied on the lioness in times of difficulty. And if there ever was a time for an appearance of dominance, it was now. The pack would judge her, so it was best they learned from the start who she was.

A low growl rumbled in her throat as she quietly approached the wolves. She glanced toward the light, aware that you didn't approach a pack of wolves without a plan. She glanced to the ravine on the right; a path led up to an outlook. Nearly thirty wolves meandered about inside of a clearing. Though the moon hadn't quite reached its peak, its light shone bright.

Her heart pounded in her chest, beating like a drum. As the large black wolf came into view, she watched in fascination as he commanded a circle of wolves. Alpha. She crouched down as his head whipped around, his focus solely honed in on her.

Here kitty, kitty, she heard him call to her mind.

Pack.She'd rarely seen an entire pack transformed as their beasts. A spectacular sight, the power of the pack, both its energy and pure physical strength was no match for most supernaturals. To other paranormals, it'd be nothing short of overwhelming.

But Cassia was not just any supernatural. And tonight she was no wolf. But Julian? The Alpha belonged to her.

Several smaller wolves nipped at the Alpha. Females. The Alpha warned them off with a low growl. One rubbed her snout against his fur and he growled louder, sending her scampering off into the woods..

With her hackles raised, Cassia readied for attack. Her pulse sped and she attempted to reason with her beast. Mine. As the thought settled in her mind, she attempted to shake it away. No, no, no. The realization settled in in the moment. He really is my mate … but how could this have happened?

Another female leaned towards Julian, breaking her contemplation. I think not, bitch.

Easy. The Alpha padded toward her and brushed off the other wolves. Come, Cassia.

She glanced at the larger male wolf and hesitated. Logan. Power emanated off the Alpha.

Come, Julian commanded.

Well shit. I guess we're doing this.

* * *

A low rumbleemanated from Logan, his unspoken power calming the pack as the large cat approached. The wolves stood frozen watching the lioness stride through the trees.

The forest went silent, the world standing still as Cassia approached. Fearless, she stepped into the clearing. She roared as she approached Julian. Her Alpha stood firm waiting on his mate. Cassia's focus honed in on three female wolves, who instead of moving away from Julian, had stepped closer. The larger wolf bared her fangs.

Her beast roared and rushed the wolf, her growl reverberating throughout the swamp. Her energy exploded as she charged at it. Within seconds Cassia had pinned the wolf to the ground. With the wolf's neck in her mouth, she exercised mercy, simply holding it down to the earth, resisting the urge to tear the female to shreds.

Aware of the Alpha, the entire pack watching, she released the wolf as it whimpered underneath her command. As she leapt off it and released it, she turned to the Alpha and roared once again. The wolves scattered from his side and her beast smiled.

Mine. The great lion averted her gaze in submission to the Alpha, rubbing her head against his chest in submission. A low purr emanated from her throat.

The sound of a branch breaking broke the spell. Several wolves began howling and the Alpha took off running.

Cassia looked to Julian. He growled as he glanced back to the wolves who began to take off into the woods. Cassia would never hold him back from his nature, but she wasn't ready to join a pack. She'd make the choice for him and let the magick flow.

In an instant she transformed into an owl and flew away into darkness. Though she still sensed the Alpha, she couldn't hear him call to her. He'd released her from his command of submission, allowing her to fly away without compulsion to stay with the pack. As she flew away, she welcomed the freedom.

Within seconds, she'd landed and shifted into her human form. Exhausted, she reached for a robe and promptly shut the door.

Cassia blew out a breath and fell back into the bed. Her stomach churned recalling what she'd done. In the moment, she could have killed that wolf. It hadn't been intentional. But her instinct had driven her to dominate the females. My Alpha.

Though she knew wolves occasionally could mate with other shifters, she never expected the Goddess would bring her a wolf. An Alpha. An ancient badass Alpha.

Delicious. Sexy as fuck. A big bad wolf with a big ..."Fucccckkk."

Stop, Cass. Think about something that could actually save you. She closed her eyes and willed herself into relaxation. She hadn't had a vision for days. At first she'd thought it was stress, but she suspected her lack of dreams had been due to Julian.

Three. Two. One.She counted backwards, inhaling a deep breath and slowly releasing it. She imagined herself floating above a lake but the vision took her to the edge of a cliff. White light surrounded her as she took in the sight of the turquoise water. Thousands of dolphins swam in the ocean, an enormous pod frolicking and jumping high up and through the waves to see her.

She looked into the sand dunes where rabbits and squirrels scurried along the rocks and foraged for food. A flock of pelicans soared in the sky, cruising along the coast. They dipped down to get a better look at her and she swore one smiled at her before continuing on its journey. She inhaled the salty air and allowed the peace to wash over her.

A whirl of commotion grew louder, jarring her from tranquility. Light morphed to darkness, an evil vibration buzzing over her skin. The ocean transformed from blue to blood red.

Wake up, she told herself, yet frozen in her vision, she remained paralyzed, unable to escape. She opened her mouth to scream but her thoughts had been silenced.

Sulfur teased her nose, the familiar scent registering in every cell of her body. Cassia screamed once again in silence. Wake up. Wake up.

Hellhounds howled in the distance. A whirl of black sand stung her skin as it gusted up into the air. Through the darkness, she recognized the glowing crimson eyes. They were coming for her. Hellhounds.

Incapacitated, she screamed in silent panic as hideous vines sprouted from the earth and bound her wrists. Their putrid scent thickened in the air as the hounds stormed toward her. Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! HELP ME!

The din grew deafening and burned her ears, yet her pleas went unheard. Please Goddess. Help!

Two eyes exploded into twenty. She called on her beast but her magick faltered. Wake up! Wake up!

A whisper in her mind called to her. You're dreaming.

But as the beasts rushed her, hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Vomit rose in her throat as hellhounds crept into her space. Her heart pounded in her chest. No, no, no. The hounds glared at her as they sniffed the air. They drew closer, a pair of whiskers brushed her cheek.

As she stared into its eyes she swore she recognized the pain. Open wounds oozed blood and pus as if it had been in many a great fight and hadn't healed. Had it been tortured?

"Help us, Cassia," it hissed.

Cassia's eyes widened as it spoke to her.

"Help us." It bowed its head, snarling but not attacking.

"Me? How?" Confusion swept over her, her voice magically freed from its shackles. The vines around her wrists disappeared. She glanced to her palms as she turned them over.

"We are you."

"Is this a trick? Who sent you?"

"He's coming for you."

Her eyebrows furrowed in concern as her pulse raced like a wild horse. "Who? Who's coming for me? Why?"

"Demon," it hissed. "It seeks the Aroya."

"What is that?"

"Aroya. The vessel."

"Aroya? I don't know what you're talking about." She shook her head. "Why me?"

"Help us."

"What? Wait. How is this happening? How are you talking?"

"We. Are. Shifter."

"You're hellhounds." Cassia bit her lip, her mind reeling. I'm in a vision. This is not real.

"Condemned to hell. We are shifter. Help us. Need the vessel."

"Did a demon do this to you?" she asked.

"The fae knows … the vessel."

Cassia shook her head as the hellhounds growled and turned to run. "No, don't go. Don't go! I need help. How will I find you? Don't go!"

"We will find you," their leader called back to her as it ran back into a sea of sand. "Thorn knows."

"No! Please." Cassia tossed in the bed, her head whipping back and forth on the pillow. "Don't go!"

"Cassia. Wake up!" Julian called to her.

"Don't go! I need your help!" she screamed.

"Cassia. Wake up, sweetheart. You're okay. It's just a dream."

Julian's voice wove itself into her dream. Her beast responded in line with her Alpha's command and forced her to rouse. Her eyes blinked open and she sucked in a deep breath.

"Hey, hey." Julian caressed her cheek. "It's okay. I'm here."

Surrounded by his comforting power, Cassia focused on Julian's face. Relief washed over her and she nodded. "You're here."

"You're okay … it's a nightmare." He climbed into bed beside her and cradled her against his chest.

"I had another vision, Julian. When I got back from the woods…well, you know," Skip that part, wolf killer. "I was so drained from shifting. I, uh, lay down and reached out. It's kind of like meditation. I was at this beautiful beach. Just so peaceful. But it turned. I couldn't move. I tried to scream but I couldn't. The hellhounds … they came to me."

She shook her head, her brain still racked with confusion. "It spoke to me."

"Spoke to you? I have had my fair share of run ins with hellhounds. Those devils growl, bark, spit even but?—"

"I know it sounds crazy, but it was real. It said it was a shifter."

"A wolf?"

"It just said it was a shifter. So yeah, I guess it could be a wolf. But Julian, it asked me to find something. It wants some kind of a vessel. It called it Aroya."

"What?"

"It also said to find Thorn."

"Thorn Rachille?" Julian blew out a breath and shook his head.

"I don't know. It didn't give me a last name. Who is Thorn?" she asked.

"He's a demon. Technically, he's half demon."

"Wait … it said to ask the fae," Cassia recalled.

"I can only assume it's Kellan. He's one of the few fae I know who goes to Hell on the regular."

"It didn't give me a name but Samantha suggested the same thing to us. To see the fae."

"Kellan's a nasty sort. He can sometimes have answers but they always come at a cost."

"And Thorn? Is he as bad?"

"I like to think of him like a coin. Can be useful but you never know which side you're gonna get. He's mostly harmless but he's the type that enjoys drama."

"Maybe these hellhounds that have been chasing me. Maybe they're like other people who get stuck in Hell but they've been transformed … lost their ability to shift."

"Hell can do that to ya," he confessed. "I've struggled myself after my last trip. It's like our pure driven magick gets tainted. And now, I'm having trouble with a few things. Not shifting but some of my other powers aren't always working. Too many trips and you have a harder time shaking off the evil."

"Maybe they are cursed or something."

"What makes you believe them? They're hellhounds."

"Instinct. Don't get me wrong, they looked like hellhounds. They smelled like hellhounds too." Cassia wrinkled her nose, recalling their putrid scent.

"If your instinct senses the truth, trust it."

"I have this feeling … it sounds crazy, but if I don't find this Aroya thing … something bad is going to happen. To them. Maybe to us."

"I wonder why they are coming to you for help?"

"I don't know … maybe because I'm chameleon?"

"There's a missing puzzle piece. If the hellhounds came to you to ask for your help, why burn down your shop? Why burn down my house? Unless they knew….knew you were my?—"

Mate.He didn't have to say the word. A lump formed in her throat. She chose her words carefully.

"We have a connection." Her fingers brushed over her neck and recalled her visceral reaction to the wolves in the woods. My Alpha. "Do you believe in destiny?"

"I believe everything is connected," Julian told her. "The Goddess knows things but sometimes so does Hell."

"Maybe someone there knew about us?"

Julian nodded. "Sounds like it's possible."

"We need to talk to Kellan," Cassia said, her voice determined.

"And find ourselves a demon." Julian traced his fingertips over the tattoo on her shoulder.

Cassia yawned and relaxed against him. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. "I'm sorry about tonight."

"You were spectacular."

"My beast … she's wild."

Julian pressed his lips to her shoulder where he'd marked her. "As long as you promise not to kill any of Logan's wolves, we're okay."

"I promise." She smiled, content in his arms.

"Did I tell you how fucking badass that was tonight … seeing your lioness?"

"I just hope Logan isn't too upset with me. I wasn't going to hurt her. I just acted on instinct."

"And your instinct was to take down a wolf?" A corner of his lip tugged upward.

"She wasn't just any wolf. By that I mean … she was close to you and, well, I was just … protecting you." Liar liar pants on fire. Cassia couldn't tell the truth because it was far worse than a lie.

"Protecting me, huh?" Julian laughed.

"Yes, well, you were surrounded." Jealousy still lingered in her mind. She wasn't ready for this conversation.

"You can't go around killin' wolves, sweetheart. That's not going to go over too well with the pack." Julian sighed.

"You're the only pack I care about right now. And you seem to like cats." Cassia snuggled against him, her beast purred.

"I guess I do, now. Here, kitty, kitty."