Chapter 6

Drake grinnedas he hung up the phone. Talking to Sally—and masturbating together—was well worth the favor he'd cashed in with his buddy over at HOE. He'd also used another IOU to dig up all the information available about the woman he'd soon take as mate.

Their eventual joining was just a matter of time. Fighting it would just delay the inevitable, and besides, it looked as if his beast had chosen well. She embodied everything he loved in a woman from her long dark hair, perfect for pulling on, to her luscious, curvy frame made to cushion a man's body. Correction, his body. He got the impression life would never be boring with Sally around—and the sex? Cataclysmic. Drake's cock stirred.

As a shifter, part of his heritage included the fact that, when he least expected, he'd encounter his mate, the one who would complement him and his beast. Drake never imagined he'd find his so soon, but having met the sexy Sally, he couldn't wait to make her his, a sentiment his beast growlingly echoed.

He'd found the background info on her very interesting, especially the parts blacked out with "Classified" stamped over them. From the sounds of the sections he could read, she was one tough cookie capable of dishing it out. She also harbored a naughty streak judging by some of her escapades, those that hadn't been censored. He—and his beast—really liked her naughty side, and he looked forward to tasting it firsthand.

Flipping on the television to distract him before he called her again for another round of phone sex, he first checked out the human channels, but other than infomercials and the weather network, there wasn't much to watch. He hit the special button on his remote and tuned to HBC. To his disbelieving eyes, the object of his lust appeared. Muttering to his beast to shut up, he turned up the volume.

"Do you have what it takes to become this stunning lady's sidekick? Imagine working daily in close proximity to this goddess of latex, her every wish your desire. Only the strongest, brightest, and slyest need apply. First round in the elimination is..."

Drake listened to the rest of the broadcast before he turned off the television. He got up and paced. When he'd heard about the Hellbook posting of Sally looking for a superhero name and sidekick, he'd easily laughed it off; after all, new groups popped up daily on HB and never went anywhere. But someone had latched onto Sally and her quest, pushing her into the spotlight, where males of all kinds could drool and compete to work closely with her. Not to mention, whoever wanted her hurt or out of the soul retrieval game would not be happy at her newfound fame, probably painfully so. Drake growled, even before his beast had a chance to.

She's mine. I must protect her, even from herself.What to do though? She'd probably signed contracts to abide by the terms of the contest, and knowing Hell's lawyers, the consequences of breaking them would be severe. Which left only one alternative.

He'd have to compete. And win.

Then claim…