Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

RIKER

R iker cut off any words she might have spoken by pressing his lips firmly against hers, not wanting to hear any doubts or denials. They may have different backgrounds and beliefs, but he was now convinced they were mates, bound together by something far older than shifters or fae, and nothing would change that.

As their lips molded together, a jolt of electricity surged through his veins. The taste of her, a subtle mix of sweetness and defiance, ignited a kind of primitive wildfire within him. Riker deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of his possessiveness and longing into it.

Catalina's hands found their way to his chest, her fingers curling into tight fists, pulling him closer. A soft moan escaped her lips, muffled by the intensity of their connection. With each passing second, the doubts and insecurities that were clouding her mind seemed to at least begin to dissipate.

Pulling away, he breathed heavily, his forehead resting against hers. Their breaths mingled in the heated space between them. "You feel it too, don't you? The pull." His voice was husky with desire, tinged with the unspoken promise of pleasure that they both knew lay ahead.

She nodded; her eyes glazed over with raw hunger. "I don't know what this is," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

A flicker of frustration washed over him as he heard her half-hearted protest. The mating bond demanded surrender—a surrender that Catalina seemed hesitant to give. "The connection; it's something we can't fight. You are mine, and I am yours."

Catalina's eyes searched his for any sign of doubt or deception. Finding none, she exhaled softly, releasing the tension in her body as she smiled. "I want to believe you," she confessed, tracing circles on his chest with her fingertips. "God, Phoenix is never going to let me live this down. I gave her such shit over Griff."

Cradling her face in his hands, Riker chuckled and looked deep into her eyes. "There is no other reason for the way we're feeling right now. You didn't want to like me, and I sure as hell didn't want to like you, but I think the bond between us forced us to see each other in a different light."

Catalina sucked in a sharp breath and nodded. Her eyes drifted to his lips, and the connection between them was palpable and so, so strong. Sliding his hand around the back of her neck and pulling her against him, he slammed her lips against his own.

This time, their kiss was different; it was intense, and before he knew what was happening, they were pawing at each other, ripping the other's clothes off and tossing them on the ground. They moved as quickly as possible, the desire between them leading the charge.

"When we were in the tunnel," he said, "I probably should have used something."

Catalina laughed. "Shifters can't get fae pregnant, not unless the fae allows it, and there's nothing we can give each other that would harm the other, but it's sweet of you to be concerned."

Their bodies crashed together in a frenzy of need, a primal hunger that consumed them both. The heat of their passion fueled the flames that licked at their skin, igniting a fire that threatened to consume everything in its path.

As their lips molded and melted against each other, a symphony of moans and sighs filled the air. There was an urgency in their movements, driven by a yearning so powerful it eclipsed all rational thought. Hands roamed, exploring every inch of exposed flesh, igniting sparks that sent shivers down their spines.

He fisted her hair, tugging gently as he claimed her mouth with an unmatched intensity. The taste of her lips, soft and pliant, fed his desire and left him hungry for more. She reciprocated with equal fervency, her nails digging into his back as she pulled him closer.

They stumbled backward, trying to find balance amidst the chaos of their passion. There was nothing but bare skin and the sweet scent of lust hanging heavy in the air.

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes before being replaced by a kind of resolution. "Yes," she breathed against his mouth, her voice husky with desire. "I want this."

He captured her gaze, burning with an intensity that mirrored his own. "Are you sure?" he whispered against her lips, his voice laced with both desperation and reverence.

"Yes. I need to know where this will take us."

With those words, any remnants of doubt or hesitation vanished into thin air. Their bodies collided once more, fusing together in a dance as old as time itself. Pleasure washed over them in waves. Riker lifted her up and carried her to his bed, laying her down with a certain kind of reverence before joining her there.

Moving down her body, he spread her legs wide, making a place for himself as he lifted each of her legs over his shoulders and put his mouth on her. He kissed her lower lips and flicked her clit in a way that left her gasping. He inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet scent of her arousal that damn near sent him into a primal frenzy.

Lowering his mouth to her sex, he began feasting on her, spearing her with his tongue repeatedly, flattening it out to lap up all of her honey. He ate her the way a bear would dive into a beehive, gorging himself in her sweetness. It coated his tongue, and he thought he might never get enough of her.

Catalina cried out as she came, her body arching up off the bed, going stiff before going limp in his hands. He lifted her legs from his shoulders and rolled up onto his knees, staring down at her and thinking others might see her as a lightning faerie, but he would always see her as some ancient goddess of temptation.

Covering her with his body, he whispered, "Wrap your legs around me, Catalina."

Smiling, she did as he asked, wrapping her arms around his back, clinging to him, and crying out as he thrust up into her. There was a part of him that wanted to fuck her hard and fast, but he'd done that the first time. This time he wanted to savor her, to give her so much pleasure that she would never doubt they belonged together.

With a primal growl, he thrust into her depths, relishing the tightness that enveloped him. The sensation was electric, sending jolts of ecstasy coursing through his veins. They were no longer two separate entities, but one entity forged in the flames of desire.

He pulled back and surged forward again, repeating the movement until he'd found a rhythm that seemed new and yet so familiar, as if they had always been together. Their bodies moved with an innate synchrony; a harmony born from a longing so profound it transcended mere physicality. They were lost in a world of sensation, where time ceased to exist, and nothing mattered but the pleasure they could bestow upon each other.

Her nails dug into his back, leaving crescent-shaped imprints as she arched against him, desperate for more. Riker gripped her hips tighter, his fingers digging into her flesh as he thrust deeper, harder. The sound of skin meeting skin filled the room, drowning out any semblance of rational thought. It was as if they had entered a realm where only their passion mattered, where the only goal was to push each other to the pinnacle of ecstasy.

With every stroke, he could sense her unraveling beneath his body. Catalina trembled, her breath hitching, and Riker knew she was teetering on the edge. He wanted nothing more than to see and feel her come undone, to prove to her that their bodies were completely and perfectly in sync.

Riker increased the pressure on her swollen clit with his thumb, circling it in teasing motions that elicited a throaty moan from deep within her. Her muscles tightened around him, drawing him in further as if begging for release. And when he finally granted her wish, it was as if an explosion ripped through both of them.

Her back arched off the bed, a primal scream escaping her lips as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her body. Riker watched in awe as Catalina rode out her climax, her nails leaving red trails down his back. Her orgasm triggered his own release—a torrential flood that consumed him and filled her completely.

R iker awoke to the quiet rustle of fabric and the soft glow of early morning light filtering through the windows. He blinked his eyes open, the memories of last night flooding back in vivid detail—Catalina's touch, her breathy moans, the way their bodies moved together as if they had been made to fit. But now, she was slipping out of bed, moving silently, as though she hoped he wouldn't wake up.

He watched her from the shadows, her bare back exposed as she moved across the room, her wings hidden once again, only faint traces of their shimmer visible in the morning light. She picked up her clothes from the chair and quickly slipped into her pants and shirt. His heart sank for a moment. She wasn't just leaving. She was slipping away like she was pulling back from whatever had sparked between them.

Catalina reached for her phone, a small smile tugging at her lips as she glanced back at him, clearly thinking he was still asleep. She grabbed a pen and started scribbling something on a piece of paper—probably a note to explain her sudden disappearance.

Before she could set the pen down, Riker moved silently, closing the distance between them in one smooth motion. He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, and nuzzled into her neck, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

"You really thought you could sneak out without waking me?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear, his voice a deep, rumbling growl that sent a shiver through her.

Catalina stiffened at first, then relaxed into his hold, the note crumpling in her hand. "I didn't want to wake you," she replied, though her tone was softer than usual, a hint of warmth betraying her. "We both have things to do today, and I thought… this was just a one-time thing."

Riker chuckled low in his throat, his grip tightening slightly as he turned her to face him. "One time, huh? Did you forget the tunnel or the number of times we made love last night?" He brushed his lips over hers, teasing her. "Like it or not, Catalina, there's something between us. You feel it just as much as I do."

Her eyes flashed with a mixture of amusement and defiance, but she didn't pull away. "Shifters and fae don't mix," she said quietly, her voice laced with a hint of sadness. "It's forbidden. The fae have rules about this sort of thing. We're not supposed to be with anyone but our own kind."

Riker's laughter rumbled through him. "Your parents didn't care much for that rule. And last time I checked, Phoenix wasn't exactly following the fae rulebook either, considering she's head over heels for a dragon."

Catalina sighed, her head resting against his chest for a moment as she absorbed his words. "True," she admitted. "But my parents paid the price for their love. And Phoenix… she's willing to face the consequences."

He cupped her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his. "And what about you? Are you willing to fight for something that might be real?"

There was a long pause as Catalina studied him, her expression unreadable, but her eyes shimmering with emotions she wasn't ready to name. After a moment, she shook her head softly, stepping back from his hold, though her fingers lingered on his skin for a second longer than necessary.

"We both have work to do," she said, her voice steady now. "There's no time to think about… this." She waved a hand between them as if trying to diminish the connection that had been undeniable last night.

Riker nodded, though his gut twisted with the knowledge that she was putting distance between them. "You're right. But don't think you can run forever. I'm not going anywhere."

She offered him a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, before grabbing her jacket and heading for the door. "I'll think about it," she said quietly, glancing over her shoulder one last time before she left.

T he moment Catalina stepped out of his flat, Riker's mind switched to the escalating danger in the city. She was right, whatever personal feelings were brewing between them would have to wait. Cipher was still out there, and the plan to destabilize the barriers between realms was already in motion.

Riker pulled out his phone and dialed Captain Moreau, his thoughts racing with everything he'd learned from his encounter with Cipher. The mastermind's plan was bigger than any of them had imagined. It wasn't just about corrupting magic; it was about collapsing the fragile balance between the realms.

"Moreau here," came the familiar voice from the other end of the line.

"Captain, it's Riker. We've got a problem." He wasted no time relaying the details—Cipher's plans, the increasing magical disturbances across the city, and the potential for an all-out collapse between the human and supernatural worlds.

There was a pause before Moreau responded, her voice low and serious. "I had a feeling things were about to get worse. Meet me at the precinct. We'll put together and mobilize a team."

Riker ended the call, grabbing his jacket and holstering his weapon. He shot a quick text to Catalina, letting her know he was coordinating with Moreau and that they needed all hands on deck.

T he precinct buzzed with tension when Riker arrived. Officers moved in and out, taking calls, gathering intel, and preparing for the inevitable chaos that was about to hit the city. Captain Moreau was already in the center of it all, barking orders to her team. Riker noted the only ones present were non-humans.

Riker made his way over to her, nodding to Griff Broussard, who stood beside her. The dragon-shifter had proven himself, and though Riker's distrust of non-shifters had been hard to shake, working alongside Catalina and her sisters had opened his eyes to the strength in unity.

"We're coordinating with both human law enforcement and magical forces," Moreau said as soon as Riker reached her. "Griff's pulling in some of his shifter contacts, and I've already reached out to the Duvall sisters. We're covering as many key locations as we can. We'll try to keep humans and non-humans separate, but humans learning about the magical world may be inevitable."

"If that happens, Phoenix and her sisters have a kind of backup plan to use the drug O'Riley uses at The Thorny Rose to make humans forget anything unusual they might see. It isn't harmful and could easily be disbursed through the water system."

"Good," Riker said, glancing at the map laid out on the table in front of them. Red markers dotted the map, indicating areas of concern—places where Cipher's influence was strongest. "Any idea where Cipher is hiding?"

Moreau shook her head. "Not yet. But we're closing in. The disturbances are escalating, and it's only a matter of time before he makes his next move."

Riker shook his head and swore. "We can't let him tear down the barriers. If he succeeds, we'll have an all-out war on our hands."

Moreau's gaze was steady, but Riker could see the worry in her eyes. "I know. That's why we need to work together. Every magical being in this city is at risk, and if Cipher's plan goes through, the human population will be caught in the crossfire."

As they strategized, Riker's phone buzzed again. It was a message from Catalina.

‘Meet me at the Crescent Nexus Tower. I've got a lead.'

Riker's heart kicked into overdrive. The Crescent Nexus Tower—the site of the fusion of dark magic and technology. Whatever Catalina had found, it was important. He glanced at Moreau, who caught the urgency in his expression.

"Go," she said, her tone firm. "I'll keep things coordinated here. Be careful."

Riker nodded and turned to Griff. "Get your people ready. We might need to hit the Crescent Nexus Tower hard."

Griff grinned, his eyes flashing with draconic fire. "Consider it done."

T he Crescent Nexus Tower loomed before them, a towering, modern structure with its glass fa?ade glinting in the afternoon sun. Despite its sleek exterior, Riker knew the building was a ticking time bomb—housing the dark magic that Cipher was trying to unleash.

Catalina was waiting for him near the entrance, her face tense. "I've been monitoring the magical signatures coming from inside," she said as soon as he approached. "It's getting worse. Whatever they're doing, it's destabilizing the magic in the area."

Riker nodded; his jaw set in a grim line. "Moreau's mobilizing forces across the city. They're waiting for our signal. We need to stop whatever's happening here before it spreads."

As they made their way into the building, the air grew heavier with the presence of dark magic. Riker could feel it pressing down on him, thick and oppressive, like a storm about to break. The further they ventured into the complex, the more apparent it became that Cipher's influence had infiltrated every level of the operation.

They moved quickly but cautiously through the halls, their footsteps echoing in the sterile environment. Catalina led the way, her senses attuned to the magical disturbances that pulsed around them.

"Down here," she whispered, pointing to a stairwell that led to the lower levels of the building.

Riker's instincts flared. This was where it would all go down.

They descended into the heart of the complex, where the walls seemed to hum with a dark, malignant energy. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, a group of heavily armed guards appeared, blocking their path.

Without hesitation, Riker shifted, the swirling mist masking his transformation, which was immediate as his body expanded into the hulking form of his bear. His claws dug into the ground, and with a roar, he charged forward, taking out the first wave of guards in a blur of muscle and fury.

Catalina was right behind him, her hands crackling with magic as she unleashed bolts of lightning at the remaining guards. They moved seamlessly; their movements synchronized as they fought their way deeper into the facility.

But as they reached the core of the building, the air around them shimmered, and Cipher appeared once again. His form was more grotesque than before, his body a terrifying blend of machine and magic, his eyes glowing with a sickly green light.

"You're too late," Cipher hissed, his voice distorted by the mechanical components grafted into his flesh. "The barriers are already weakening. Soon, the walls between the realms will collapse, and nothing will stand in my way."

Riker growled, his bear form towering over Cipher.

"Not if we stop you first," said Catalina, raising her hands.

But before they could act, Cipher's form blurred, and he vanished into thin air, leaving only a trail of dark magic in his wake.

"Damn it!" Riker snarled, shifting back into human form as he scanned the room for any sign of their quarry.

"We need to track him," Catalina said, covering his body with clothing with a simple flick of her wrist. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the lingering magical signature left behind.

They raced through the corridors, following the trail of dark magic as it led them back to the surface. But just as they reached the exit, Cipher's presence completely disappeared, vanishing into the maze of alleyways that crisscrossed the French Quarter.

Frustration gnawed at Riker as they stood there, panting from the chase. Cipher had slipped through their fingers again.

B ack at Riker's flat, the weight of the day's events settled heavily between them. Little by little, they were coming closer to stopping Cipher. The longer and more closely they worked together, the stronger the bond grew between them. Catalina tried to dismiss her feelings for Riker, but unlike the supernaturals she dispatched on a regular basis, the feelings wouldn't go away. She really didn't have time for this, and yet, she couldn't deny them.

Catalina stood by the window, her arms crossed as she stared out at the river. Riker moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest just as he had that morning.

"We'll stop him," he murmured against her ear, his voice low and reassuring.

She leaned into him, her body relaxing in his arms. "I know. But what happens after?"

Riker pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, his lips brushing her skin. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out. You and your sisters aren't alone any longer."

Catalina turned in his arms, her eyes meeting his, and in that moment, the uncertainty faded away. For now, all that mattered was the here and now—the connection they couldn't deny and the fight they would face side by side.

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, Riker knew that whatever the future held, they were stronger together.